United News of Bangladesh

Nationwide train movement halted since early Tuesday after Bangladesh Railway's running staff launched an indefinite strike to demand special post-retirement benefits. The strike began at midnight Monday after talks between railway authorities and the union of train drivers and support staff collapsed. As a result, trains scheduled to depart after midnight from originating stations were cancelled, bringing train operations across the country to a standstill. Bent rail tracks: ‘Banalata Express’ avoids accident The strike stems from the staff's demands for several unresolved issues, including the inclusion of running allowances in their basic pay for pension calculations. Running staff, such as train drivers, guards, and ticket checkers, are participating in this protest. Saeedur Rahman, general secretary of the Dhaka Division Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Association, said, “We have not received any decisions from railway authorities. We remain steadfast in our decision to halt train operations.” Passengers have faced significant inconvenience as trains scheduled to depart after midnight failed to leave their stations. The running staff confirmed that trains scheduled to leave their originating stations after midnight were halted. As per regulations, a running staff member is entitled to 12 hours of rest upon returning to their headquarters or 8 hours if stationed outside. If required to work during rest hours for the benefit of railway operations, additional compensation known as mileage benefits is provided. However, due to objections from the Ministry of Finance, the running staff has reportedly been deprived of this benefit, which is one of the key points of contention. Karwan Bazar Railway: The go-to place for illegal drugs in Dhaka Mohammad Anwar Hossain, the station master of Kamalapur Railway Station, told UNB that all trains scheduled to depart until 12:00 am on Monday eventually left their origin station, despite delays. However, trains scheduled to depart after midnight did not operate due to the work stoppage. The last scheduled train on Monday departed from Kamalapur Station at 1:00 am. Passengers with tickets for the cancelled trains, both online and offline, are being refunded.

Trade activities between Bangladesh and India through the Benapole Land Port remain suspended on Monday for the Victory Day celebration. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. However, passenger movement with valid passports continues as usual, confirmed Benapole Land Port’s Deputy Director, Rashedul Sajib Nazir. Bangladesh to celebrate Victory Day Monday recalling hard-earned freedom President of the Benapole Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association, Alhaj Shamsur Rahman, said that the trade suspension was communicated verbally to the Petrapole C&F Agents Association on Sunday evening. Officer-in-Charge of Benapole International Checkpost Immigration Police, Imtiaz Bhuiyan, confirmed that while import-export activities are suspended, passport-holder travel between the two countries is proceeding without disruption. Deputy Director Rashedul Sajib Nazir further clarified that all customs and port operations are paused for the day. Normal trade activities, including import and export, are scheduled to resume from Tuesday morning (December 17). Chief Adviser and Timor-Leste President pay tribute to Freedom Fighters on Victory Day Deputy Director Rashedul Sajib Nazir said that all customs and port activities are closed due to the declaration of a public holiday. Import-export will resume from Tuesday morning, he added. 

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has suspended overseas travel of its officials, employees with the central bank’s financing until further notice. Foreign trips of Bangladesh Bank officials and employees, there participation in educational programmes,  seminars and workshops will remain suspended following the decision. Bangladesh Bank states that officials/ employees can travel abroad for treatment or Hajj with their own expenses. Earlier, the government put on hold all kinds of overseas travel of its officials until further notice due to current global crisis and to help post- Covid economic recovery. On May 16, The Finance Ministry issued another circular clarifying policy and the restriction of traveling of government officials abroad. The circular stated that the prohibitions mentioned in the earlier circular would be applicable to all government-semi-government and autonomous organizations. READ: Israel captures Palestinians who killed 3 in stabbing attack These restrictions will also apply to travel abroad from the own funds of these organizations. In other words, government officials and employees cannot go abroad even with money from the internal funds such of any entities. In line with the government instruction, Bangladesh bank has taken this decision. Bangladesh Bank is discouraging the import of luxury goods to reduce the pressure on the forex reserves and to ease the dollar crisis.