Bus services between Rajshahi and Dhaka came to a halt on Sunday night as transport workers stopped their work demanding a rise in their wages, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
The strike began at about 9:00pm, with transport workers alleging that they had been paid Tk 1,100 for drivers, Tk 500 for supervisors and Tk 400 for helpers per trip for nearly a decade. In some services, drivers receive Tk 1,200.
The workers are demanding that the rate per trip be raised to Tk 2,000 for drivers, Tk 1,100 for supervisors and Tk 1,000 for helpers, with higher payments for trips extending to Kansat in Chapainawabganj.
Ali Hossain, a driver of National Travels, said that for the past 10 years their wages had remained the same.
鈥業n August, we suspended only National Travels鈥� bus services, and the owners promised an increase. But nothing has changed. This time, buses will remain off the road until our demands are met,鈥� he said.
The shutdown caused severe suffering for passengers. Many were forced to turn to local buses and other alternative transport by paying double fares.
鈥業 had urgent work in Dhaka tonight, but now I am stuck,鈥� said Abdul Karim, a passenger, adding that alternative vehicles were scarce and costly.
Tanazila Haque, a Rajshahi University student, said that she needed to travel to Dhaka for an examination.
鈥楾here are no buses, train tickets are already sold out. I will have to try local buses, but I don鈥檛 know how long the journey will take,鈥� she said.
Rajshahi district motor workers鈥� union鈥檚 acting general secretary Rafiq-ul-Islam Pakhi said that the transport workers鈥� demands were logical and reasonable.
鈥楨arlier, owners offered only Tk 100 more. Workers rejected the offer. We will try again to resolve the matter with the owners,鈥� he added.
Rajshahi Road Transport Group general secretary Nazrul Islam Helal could not be reached over the phone despite repeated attempts.
