River transport workers in Bangladesh go on strike

Dhaka, Oct 14 (UNI) Bangladesh's river-transport workers went on an indefinite strike today to press their 10-point demands, including pay hike, disrupting waterway communications on routes to and from the capital.

The workers, under the banner of Bangladesh River Vessel Workers Federation, threatened to continue the strike until their demands are fulfilled. The demands include providing 100 percent dearness allowance, identity cards and certificates.

Passengers apprehended that this strike ahead of Eid festival on October 23-25 would put homebound passengers into serious sufferings for the simple fact that launches and other ferryboats are the main mode of transport for the people of backwater districts.

In southern Barisal movement of river vessels, particularly launches, on 28 routes have been halted from 12 midnight (local time) yesterday.

''Sufferings of thousands of passengers, who thronged the launch terminals today morning, knew no bounds as they found all the vessels anchored mid-river,'' said a spot account of the communications disruptions.

Although some of the passengers headed towards their destinations by speedboats and trawlers, most others remained stranded at the ghats.

Taking advantage of the strike, small mechanised boats started ferrying people on different routes carrying passengers beyond their capacity.

In Khulna, waterway communications on 10 routes, including Khulna-Barisal, Khulna-Koyra, Khulna-Sharankhola and Khulna-Laxmipasha, snapped following the strike.

Apart from passenger launches, the plying of cargo, oil tankers, coasters, and steel-body trawlers was also suspended.

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