Lighterage vessel workers on indefinite strike

Bangladesh Lighterage Sramik Union, an association of lighterage vessel workers, went on an indefinite strike on Saturday to press home their several demands, including that their security be ensured on the waterways. Abu Taher, president of the union, announced the strike from a meeting on Friday night. Loading and unloading of goods remained halted as lighterage vessels lay anchored at the outer anchorage in Chittagong port due to the strike since morning. Earlier, a gang of pirates swooped on a Sirajganj-bound fertiliser-laden lighterage vessel when it reached Batirkhal in Lakshmipur district on Friday and looted the fertiliser. Seven workers of the vessel out of 10 went missing during the incident, said Abu Taher, according to a news agency.