Khulna, Barishal transport owners call indefinite strike from Jun 14

All forms of public transport will remain off the roads if the shutdown goes ahead

Bus owners and workers unions have called an indefinite transport strike in five districts across Khulna and Barishal divisions to push through a three-point charter of demands, including a ban on illegal three-wheelers on highways.

Transport leaders announced they are forcing the shutdown starting from Jun 14, a Sunday, after multiple rounds of negotiation with local administrative officials “failed” to yield any concrete solutions.

ShahiduI Islam, general secretary of the Bagerhat Inter-District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association, said once the strike commences, all forms of vehicular movement will grind to a halt in Bagerhat, Khulna, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, and Barishal.

The three-point demands are:

• Removal of excess Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses and leased vehicles operating beyond approved limits, along with all unauthorised ticketing counters outside designated district terminals.

• A complete ban on illegal three-wheelers, including Mahindra, Nosimon, Korimon and autorickshaws, on regional highways.

• An end to long-haul buses picking up passengers at intermediate stops outside policy guidelines.

Shahidul said 18 BRTC buses are authorised to run through the two divisions but more are operating in practice, while illegal three-wheelers continue to ply the highways unchecked.

An emergency meeting of owners and workers on May 20 resolved to go on strike, and local district administrations were formally notified by letter.

"We had hoped the administration would resolve the issues before the 11th of June. Since they haven't, we are going ahead with an indefinite strike from the 14th at 6am," the leader added.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten said the administration is “fully aware” of the demands and has already held a meeting with the associations.

"We are working to prevent the strike from going ahead on the 14th of June. We hope it will be resolved beforehand," he added.