Water transport workers continued their countrywide strike for the second consecutive day – to press home their 10-point demand, including wage hike.
The workers held demonstrations at Khulna launch terminal this morning, reports our Khulna correspondent.
Read more: Countrywide water transport strike: Unloading at Ctg port halted
Passengers are, as always, suffering as all launches from Khulna to the southern part (Dakop, Paikgachha, Koira, Satkhira) have been halted.
Cargo launch services also remained suspended.
At present, a worker is getting a minimum wage of Tk 7,750 monthly when prices of essentials have shot up abnormally, said member of Khulna Noujan Sramik Sangram Parishad Farooq Hossain.
He said they have been repeatedly demanding increase in wages but water transport owners did not pay any heed.
Read more: Passengers suffer as Barishal water transport workers go on indefinite strike
The workers will continue their strike, abstaining from work until their demands are met, said Khulna Divisional Organising Secretary of Bangladesh Launch Workers’ Association, Delwar Hossain.
On November 19, Noujan Sramik Sangram Parishad announced to go on an indefinite strike across the country from November 26 midnight to press home their 10-point demand, including setting their minimum wage at Tk 20,000.
Other demands of the workers are providing appointment letter, identity card and service book to workers, formation of Contributory Provident Fund and Seafarer Welfare Fund to provide food and sea allowances, providing Tk 10 lakh compensation for accident and death at work.