Launch strike paralyses river transport

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Passenger launches countrywide were at a standstill Tuesday as workers called an indefinite strike following the collapse of talks to resolve their long-standing demands for better working conditions, reports bdnews24.com.
The Water Vessel Workers Federation imposed the strike from Monday midnight after the tripartite talks involving government, launch owners and employees ended without agreement.
The workers had put forward a 22-point demand including the formulation of a minimum wage, a proper salary structure and issuing of appointment letters.
No launch departed from the capital's Sadarghat terminal from Tuesday morning.
Shipping traffic inspector Md Masud said none of the 12 launches scheduled to leave for southern routes had left the terminal.
Some 39 launches, coming from the south, were now anchored off the pier having offloaded their passengers, he added.
Realising that there would be no launch departures, passengers were seen leaving Sadarghat terminal.
Md Nazrul Islam, who had come to the terminal that morning from Mirpur, told the news agency that he was supposed to go urgently to Shariatpur, but now had to return home due to the strike.
Housewife Shahnaz also said that she was unable to go to Chandpur to see her sick father.
Malek, a launch master, and member of the union, said that the workers would continue their strike until at least some of their demands were met.
Workers' representatives turned down Sunday pleas from Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and secretary Abdul Mannan Howladar to resolve their problems with owners through discussions.