United News of Bangladesh

Transport owners and workers on Sunday issued a 15-working day ultimatum to fulfill their eight-point demand, including amendments to the Road Transport Act-2018. They warned of enforcing a 72-hour nationwide transport strike from 6am on August 12 to 6am on August 15 if their demands are not met. The announcement came from a joint press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club by the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association, the Bus-Truck Owners Association and the Road Transport Workers’ Federation. In a written statement, Saiful Alam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, said the ultimatum follows recent BRTA drives to remove buses and trucks older than 20 and 25 years respectively. This has led to regional transport strikes in several districts, sparking fears of a broader disruption across the country. To resolve the issue, a joint meeting of the three national transport organisations and divisional leaders was held on July 20, where the 15-day resolution window was finalised. Failure to meet their demands within this period, they warned, would lead to a countrywide strike. Weak market monitoring, extortion in transport sector, propping up price of commodities: Speakers The eight-point charter includes amendments to Sections 98 and 105 of the Road Transport Act-2018 and other relevant clauses. It also demands extending the economic life limit of commercial vehicles from the current 20–25 years to 30 years. The transport leaders said vehicles should be removed from operation based on fitness and environmental standards regardless of age. They, however, insisted that the earlier policy allowing fit old vehicles to operate outside metropolitan areas must remain in place. They also called for an immediate suspension of BRTA drives against old vehicles until these matters are resolved. Additional demands include reducing the recently increased presumptive income tax on commercial vehicles to previous levels, extending the import age limit for commercial reconditioned vehicles—including buses, trucks, covered vans, and prime movers—from 5 to 12 years, and formulating a scrappage policy for old vehicles. They also urged the authorities to implement a policy requiring police to return accident-damaged vehicles to their owners within 72 hours, expedite the issuance and renewal of driving licences, and implement the 12-point demand of the Road Transport Workers’ Federation. Kafil Uddin Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association; Executive President M A Baten; Vice-President Md Tofazzal Hossain Mojumder; Ramesh Chandra Ghosh, Chairman of the Bus-Truck Owners Association; Joint Secretary M Humayun Kabir; former General Secretary Kafil Uddin Ahmed; former President Faruk Talukder Sohel; President of the Road Transport Workers’ Federation Abdur Rahim Box Dudu; and its General Secretary Humayun Kabir Khan were, among others, present at the press conference.

Habiganj Bus Owners and Workers Union continued their strike for fourth consecutive day on Monday, demanding the authorities allow them to use Salamatpur bus terminal. Shankha Shuvo Roy, general secretary of Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group, said the indefinite strike was called from Friday. Read more: Water transport workers to go on strike from Nov 26 On September 4, it was decided in a joint meeting of transport owners and workers that they can use Salamatpur bus terminal in  Nabiganj upazila, he said. “But due to the reluctance of the administration, no bus from Habiganj is being allowed to enter the terminal,” he added. Besides, the movement of three-wheelers on the highways has not been banned, said the transport leader. Meanwhile, Habiganj's bus services with Dhaka and nine routes inside the district have been halted due to the strike. About 400 passenger buses ply daily on these nine routes  in the district. Read more: Commuters suffer as bus strike underway in Sunamganj Long-haul passengers are suffering the most as no bus left the municipal bus terminal this morning (Monday). Many people are trying to reach their destinations in CNG-run auto rickshaws and other three wheelers paying extra fare. “We will continue strike until our demands are met,” said Shankha.