FICA lends support to cricketers' strike

The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has expressed concern over the conditions that led Bangladeshi players to go on strike, reports bdnews24.com.
Players in Bangladesh do not feel heard or respected in relation to important issues that affect them in their careers and livelihoods, Tony Irish, executive chairman of FICA, said in a statement on Tuesday.
FICA's statement comes in response to a media conference held by national and first-class domestic cricketers in the city on Monday. The players went on strike, demanding a pay hike.
The development comes a month after the BCB decided to abandon the Bangladesh Premier League franchise-based model, cutting into the cricketers' income.
Their 11-point demand includes immediate resignations of president and general secretary of Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh, reversing the BCB's decision to abandon the franchise-based model and lifting the salary cap in the Dhaka Premier League.
"FICA commends the players in Bangladesh for their unity and for taking a stand together in order to secure fair conditions applicable to them as professional cricketers. This has happened despite the challenging environment for players to collectivise in Bangladesh and it is a clear indication of the need for change in the way players are treated in what we regard as an important cricket country," Irish said.