Cargo vessel workers call off strike
FE Report | Monday, 14 July 2008
The lighterage, cargo and oil tanker workers called off their strike after around 70 hours Sunday night following a fruitful tripartite meeting among workers, government and vessel owners.
"We are expecting the operation of all cargo carrying vessels resume shortly tonight (Sunday) as we have reached a consensus on the hike of wages for the workers," Abdul Karim, acting president of Bangladesh Cargo Vessels Owners Association (BCVOA) told the FE Sunday night.
Shah Alam, vice chairman of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation (BWTWF) told the FE that they have reached a consensus adding: "The workers will start working immediately ending the work abstention."
The water transport workers stopped their works at midnight Thursday, calling for increased wages in keeping up with current prices of essentials.
Workers of passenger carrying launches resumed their works Saturday afternoon as they had called off the strike in view of mounting sufferings of the common people.
However, the tripartite meeting began at 9:00 am on Sunday at the office of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in the city and it concluded at 9:00 pm on the day.
BIWTA Chairman, Director General (shipping), Director (labour), BWTWF general secretary Ashiqul Alam and acting chairman of BCVOA were present at the meeting.
As per the new dearness allowances (DA) until next wage is implemented, a laskar who works in the route of Chittagong will now get Tk 3750 as basic pay against Tk 2775 previously a month.
A lascar who works other routes excluding Chittagong will get Tk 2700 each month as basic pay against Tk 1900 each month previously.
"We are expecting the operation of all cargo carrying vessels resume shortly tonight (Sunday) as we have reached a consensus on the hike of wages for the workers," Abdul Karim, acting president of Bangladesh Cargo Vessels Owners Association (BCVOA) told the FE Sunday night.
Shah Alam, vice chairman of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation (BWTWF) told the FE that they have reached a consensus adding: "The workers will start working immediately ending the work abstention."
The water transport workers stopped their works at midnight Thursday, calling for increased wages in keeping up with current prices of essentials.
Workers of passenger carrying launches resumed their works Saturday afternoon as they had called off the strike in view of mounting sufferings of the common people.
However, the tripartite meeting began at 9:00 am on Sunday at the office of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in the city and it concluded at 9:00 pm on the day.
BIWTA Chairman, Director General (shipping), Director (labour), BWTWF general secretary Ashiqul Alam and acting chairman of BCVOA were present at the meeting.
As per the new dearness allowances (DA) until next wage is implemented, a laskar who works in the route of Chittagong will now get Tk 3750 as basic pay against Tk 2775 previously a month.
A lascar who works other routes excluding Chittagong will get Tk 2700 each month as basic pay against Tk 1900 each month previously.