Bangladesh CNG Autorickshaw Driver Sangram Parishad has demanded to resume their services in compliance with strict hygiene rules.
The convener of the organization Sheikh Hanif, joint conveners Aminul Islam, AR Jahangir, Fala and Md Golap Hossain made the demand through a press release on Monday.
Their written statement said that the government has kept the lockdown in effect by imposing strict restrictions across the country due to the recent surge in coronavirus infections and deaths, including the delta variant.
The government has suspended CNG-powered auto-rickshaws from plying on the road since June 28. As a result, about one lakh drivers have become unemployed in Dhaka alone. They live from hand to mouth and can't even afford treatment after falling sick. The statement further said that auto-rickshaw drivers are going through crisis now. The government has not provided any effective financial incentives for them.
Auto-rickshaws are mainly used for personal purposes.
Therefore, the possibility of infection in this vehicle is very low. As financial institutions like banks, hospitals, garments and other industries are open during lockdown, people working in these institutions are suffering to go to their workplaces due to the closure of public transport.
They further mentioned that the patients of Covid-19 are also suffering due to lack of transportations. During last year's lockdown, they provided services to many Corona patients free of cost. Therefore, to protect the CNG drivers and their families across the country, they urged the government to allow them to resume their services on condition that they would maintain strict hygiene rules.
