The bus strike from Rangpur to Dhaka has continued for the second day. Going to Kamarpara Dhaka bus stand of the city, it is seen that there are more than 100 buses lying at the stand. Ordinary passengers have suffered due to the strike of bus drivers. However, no one from the owners 'and workers' side can say when the strike will end.
Regarding the reason of the blockade, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Abu Maruf Hossain said, "We have talked about the matter in Dhaka. Workers say they did not start any strike. The owners also said that they did not order to stop the buses. Talking about the issue, it will be resolved soon. '
The transport workers started the strike from 8 am on Tuesday without any prior announcement. However, there is virtually no initiative to call off the strike. The owners 'association, workers' union and local administration do not know when it will be withdrawn.
Visiting the Kamarpara coach stand on Wednesday, it was seen that more than a hundred buses were lying at the stand. Most counters are closed. The workers of these buses are spending their time lazily.
However, inter-district and inter-division minibuses are plying.
The strike was called by the drivers and their associates to demand five points including increase in salaries and allowances, issuance of appointment letters and cessation of harassment. A meeting was supposed to be held in Dhaka on Tuesday to meet the demand but it did not happen.
"Not much can be said," said Sohail, a counter associate. They want the demands that are being raised to be met. Because if they sit for one day, the owner will not give them food, he complained.
Passenger Aslam Mia said, "The micro-whalers are taking this opportunity to stop the car. I want 12 hundred rupees and 15 hundred rupees. We are poor people. What can be done with so much money? '
Mith Mia, general secretary of the sub-committee of Kamarpara Dhaka Coach Stand Workers Union, said, "I did not call a strike. We do not know why the owners closed the transports. We hear there will be a meeting. I don't know exactly what will be the topic of that meeting. '
MA Majid, general secretary of the Rangpur division of the Bangladesh Workers Federation, said, "The bus service has been stopped by the owners. We didn't stop the bus. One day when the bus stops and our workers are in trouble, why should we stop the bus? There is no issue with stopping the bus.