Freight transport union lifts its 21-district strike

The freight transport strike has been lifted in all the 21 south-western districts, a day after it was called by the owners-workers union.

The strike, called by the Freight Transport Owners-Workers Union Council, began early Monday in protest of extortion, harassment and violence suffered by its members.

The announcement to lift the strike came on Tuesday after a meeting between the home minister and union leaders, said Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan.

Shajahan, also the president of Jatiya Sramik League, said the decision was taken ‘mutually’.

The strikers had presented a list of 12 demands including lifting a ban on carrying side angles, bumpers and hooks on trucks and covered vans.

Owners and workers from 21 districts of Khulna and Barisal division and greater Faridpur joined the meeting at the home ministry.

Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation's acting president and state minister for Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Mashiur Rahman Ranga was present at the meeting.

BRTA has been ordered to check the fitness of trucks and covered vans and issue driving licenses accordingly as soon as possible, said minister Shajahan.

"Anyone including policemen will be penalised if found exploiting the drivers in the name of toll collection," he said.

However, overloaded transports will not be allowed to hit the highways, he added.

The transport owners and workers said they called off the strike after getting assurance from both the ministers.

The other demands include reductions in bridge toll rates, the removal of unnecessary speed breakers, the issuing of driving licences by training programs, a reduction in the price of fuel oil and an end to the violence against drivers at India’s Petrapole land port.