Uncertainty has been looming over resuming metro rail operations a month after the suspension of its services as the state owned metro rail company is unable to convince its aggrieved employees to join work ending the strike they started following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Although the work absentia by employees of grade 10 to 20 is related to their difference in salaries and facilities compared to other grades in the government, sources said the strike is the result of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) operating without service rules for its employees.
Agitated employees said they have been demanding the service rules to ensure their promotions and facilities for the last two years but there is no result. More than a hundred trained employees have left the DMTCL due to frustration, according to the employees.
According to DMTCL sources, more than 700 employees who are mainly engaged in the metro rail operations and maintenance have been getting 2.0 per cent higher salary than the government salary structure, while salaries of others officials from grade 9 to 1 are 2.3 per cent higher since joining.
The DMTCL is yet to introduce its own salary structure since recruitment began in 2019, almost six years after the company formed under registered of joint stock companies and farms.
Talking with various quarters, the FE also realised that the managing director (MD) was not willing to prepare the service rule as any irregularities in his appointment as the MD may get revealed in the process.
Meanwhile Company MD M.A.N. Siddique visited Diabari depot at Uttara on Monday and with Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri on Tuesday but could not convince the employees to join work.
"We want office order first as these demands have been placed several times with no result," said one of the striking staff who is a section engineer. "We could not rely on their assurance," he further added.
The employees of grade 10 to 20 include section engineers of: electrical, signal, telecommunication, electrical, electrical rolling stock, mechanical, and mechanical rolling stock. The employees also include station controllers, train operators, skill maintainers, semi skill maintainers, assistant store keepers and customer relations assistants.
The FE tried to reach both M.A.N. Siddique and A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri but could not reach them over phone.
The Dhaka Metro Rail is scheduled to open to the public on August 17, according to the DMTCL. A trial run will be conducted two days prior to the official opening.
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