Truck, covered van owners, workers call off strike

Owners and workers of trucks and covered vans called off a countrywide strike following a meeting with home minister Asaduzzaman Khan early Thursday.
They said they had decided to call off the strike following an assurance from the minister.

After a four-hour meeting, the minister said drivers and owners to get seven more months to have proper driving licenses and fitness certificates for their vehicles.
Leaders of Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Goods Transport Owners and Workers Unity Council sat for a meeting with home minister Asaduzzaman Khan at the minister’s Dhanmondi residence in the capital at about 9:00pm on Wednesday.

Owners and workers of trucks and covered vans began a countrywide strike for indefinite period on Wednesday in protest against the lately enforced road transport law. The government started enforcing the Road Transport Act 2018 on Sunday.

They placed a set of nine-point demands asking for some changes in the law, but the minister said the pertinent proposals would be sent to the road transport ministry.
The minister said there were still some issues like parking facilities for trucks and covered vans unresolved and it should be taken care of.
Replying to a question he said, ‘We are not bowing down to anyone. The law will not be amended.’

On behalf of the owners and workers, a leader of the organisation Rostam Ali Khan said the minister had agreed with the demands in principle and assured that the demands would be accepted and that was why they had decided to call off the strike.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net