Passenger launches resumed operation on major river routes Saturday afternoon across the country as the workers called off their strike.
But the workers of cargo and lighterage vessels continued their strike over the demand for a hike in wages affecting transportation of goods, especially loading of cargo at Chittagong port outer anchorage.
Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation (BWTWF) went on strike Thursday midnight in support of their demand for a rise in their wages, suspending cargo and passenger services on major river routes.
However, a tripartite meeting involving vessels owners, labour leaders and government representatives will take place today (Sunday) at Bangladesh Inland Water Authority office in the city to resolve the crisis.
On the other hand, sources at the oil tankers association said the loading-unloading of fuel from Guptakhai, the country's main oil depot, also remained suspended from Friday night.
Masuk Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Oil Tankers Representative Association said fuel supply to and from Chittagong remained suspended due to the strike adding: "The loading-unloading at other depots including Baghabari remained suspended due to the strike."
President of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carrier) Association Badiuzzaman Badal said workers had withdrawn strike since Saturday afternoon in view of the sufferings of the common people.
"Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Authority informed me about the withdrawal of the strike for passengers carries. We have not made any deal with the workers on the issue," Mr Badal added.
Secretary general of BWTWF Ashiqul Alam told the FE that they withdrew the strike considering people's sufferings at different terminal across the country.
He said: "The government has assured us of providing higher wages and we will comply with the recommendations by a high-powered committee formed July 10 last."
The government formed a six-member committee and it will likely to submit its report on the dearness allowances by July 25 next.
The next new wages for the waterways workers will be fixed in December after approval by the government. The last wage was reviewed in December in 2004.
In the meantime, owners of cargo and lighterage vessels expressed their grave concern over the continuation of strike by their workers.
They said cargo movement remained suspended over the past two days and it will have a negative impact on the prices of consumer items.
They also said a number of mother vessels carrying fertiliser, cement clinker and other important items remained standstill incurring huge demurrage.
While talking to the FE, Abdul Karim, acting president of Bangladesh Cargo Vessels Owners Association said they have been waiting for a call from the government to resolve the crisis.
He said: "The government should take immediate measures to resolve the crisis."
Laxman Chandra Dhar, vice chairman of Coaster Owners Association of Bangladesh told the FE that there were around 70 lighterage vessels remaining idle at Chittagong port. The vessels were due to load imported items from mother vessels.
There are around 250 lighterage vessels, having between 600 and 1800 tonnes capacity each, in the country and they carry different imported cargo to and from Chittagong port.
