Hasina for awareness against strikes

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled out any law to ban strikes but called on MPs to build public awareness against such political programmes.

Hasina cleared her government’s position on the issue in her reply to a question from MP MA Hannan in Parliament on Wednesday.

Mymensingh MP Hannan of Jatiya Party had asked Hasina, who has the home ministry in her portfolio, whether general strikes could be temporarily banned with the help of laws.

“You cannot do everything by framing a law,” the prime minister said in her reply.

“People have to be aware and come forward to form resistance.”

Hartals, or general strikes, have been part of the region’s political landscape for decades. Many have sought on a ban on them.

Pointing to the violence during the BNP-Jamaat led movement from early 2013 to January this year, the prime minister said, “It's not politics, it's murder. It isn’t hartal, it’s basically a form of militancy and terrorism.”

“I won’t say anything now. But if the people want, then the government will act accordingly,” she said.

She urged MPs to build a strong public opinion against strikes.

“Let people become aware and resist these practices. That will be better,” she said.