Meeting between government and vessel owners fails to offer solution to Bangladesh waterways strike

A meeting between government representatives and owners of vessels has ended without any solution to the ongoing waterways workers' strike that has crippled normal movement of vessels on all major ports of the country.

After Thursday's meeting, Labour Affairs Director FM Ashrafuzzaman, however. hoped a solution to the impasse would be evolved soon.

The indefinite strike called by the Water Transport Workers’ Sangram Parishad began at midnight on Monday across the country calling for a hike in minimum wages besides the demand for the fulfillment of a four-point charter.

Another round of meeting with workers and owners is in the offing, Ashrafuzzaman said.

Meanwhile, waterways traffic from Dhaka's launch terminal was almost normal on Thursday just like the first two days of the strike. Some more vessels were seen preparing to depart.

After a three-hour meeting that began, Ashrafuzzaman told the media Thursday's meeting with owners follows Wednesday night's meeting with workers. He seemed confident of a solution soon.

Vessel owners' Bangladesh Inland Passenger Transportation Organisation President Mahbub said, "We are discussing it. We can tell you more about it later".

Joint Director of the Labour Ministry Aminul Islam was also present at the meeting.

BIWTA Transport Inspector Humayun Kabir said 10 launches have departed from Sadarghat in Dhaka for various destinations since morning and up to 12 noon.

He added that 50 launches have been operational during the day.