Biman workers announce strike on Aug 6

Workers of Biman Bangladesh Airlines have decided to go on a strike on August 6 even as they continue their agitation for the second consecutive day to press for their 14-point charter of demands that include a ‘modern’ and ‘realistic’ organogram.

During the protest, from 9am to 12pm on Thursday, agitators prevented officials of the airlines from entering the office.

The employees announced to go on strike if their demands were not met.

"All operations will be suspended from 9am to 5pm on Aug 6, if our demands are not met," Biman's CBA president Mushfiqur Rahman said.

The agitators' demands include, hiring of skilled workers for ground handling jobs, a pay scale besides salary, and free medical treatment instead of a 25 percent salary deduction for a fund to cover medical expenses.

They want Dearness Allowance from Jul 1 and permanent status for those serving as temporary workers for over five years.

The protesters had earlier confined Biman’s managing director to his office on Jun 30 and the chairman on Jul 3.

In January last year, workers had confined Mosaddek Ahmed, then acting managing director of Biman, to his office to press for their six-point charter of demands.

The staff returned to work only after then State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak and then Civil Aviation Minister Faruk Khan had mediated a settlement.