Vessel workers call off strike

Marine vessel workers have called off the strike they had started three days ago after the shipping minister promised to meet their demands.
Since Saturday, the workers went on an indefinite strike demanding safer waterways and that river routes be freed from extortions, intimidations and robberies.
After Minister Shajahan Khan assured them of accepting the demands at a meeting Monday evening, the decision to withdraw the cease-work was taken, said Bangladesh River Vessels Workers Federation General secretary Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam.
He told bdnews24.com: "The labourers will resume work tonight (Monday)."
The federation's Joint Secretary Khorshed Alam also said work at the lighter vessels at Chittagong Port would resume too.
Enraged vessel workers had enforced the strike after a robbery on Baghabari-bound lighter vessel Karnaphuli-5 in the Meghna River.