Water transport strike continues
Friday, 19 March 2010
The indefinite strike enforced by the Water Transport Workers Federation entered its third day Thursday halting trade with India through waterways and paralysing waterway communications across the country, reports UNB.
The strike is underway to press for the Federation's 22-point demand, including announcement of new pay scale for the water transport workers, implementation of marine laws and cancellation of the renewal system of the certificates of masters and drivers of water vessels.
Thousands of passengers who usually travel from Dhaka to country's southern districts by launches have been facing difficulties due to the strike. It has also created setback for transportation of goods and essential commodities which are showing upward trend of prices in the markets.
According to a statistics, various types of 15,000 water vessels including coasters, cargos, oil-tankers and barges ply in different river routes and 0.15 million workers are engaged in this sector.
A report from Chittagong said, some 18 vessels remained stranded at the Outer Anchorage of Chittagong Port as unloading of goods from mother vessels remained suspended for the third day Thursday due to countrywide strike of water vessels.
However, unloading of goods at jetties inside the port remained unaffected.
Port sources said some 800 lighter vessels, 152 fishing boats and other engine-propelled boats remained anchored at different ghats of the Karnuphuli River.
The strike is underway to press for the Federation's 22-point demand, including announcement of new pay scale for the water transport workers, implementation of marine laws and cancellation of the renewal system of the certificates of masters and drivers of water vessels.
Thousands of passengers who usually travel from Dhaka to country's southern districts by launches have been facing difficulties due to the strike. It has also created setback for transportation of goods and essential commodities which are showing upward trend of prices in the markets.
According to a statistics, various types of 15,000 water vessels including coasters, cargos, oil-tankers and barges ply in different river routes and 0.15 million workers are engaged in this sector.
A report from Chittagong said, some 18 vessels remained stranded at the Outer Anchorage of Chittagong Port as unloading of goods from mother vessels remained suspended for the third day Thursday due to countrywide strike of water vessels.
However, unloading of goods at jetties inside the port remained unaffected.
Port sources said some 800 lighter vessels, 152 fishing boats and other engine-propelled boats remained anchored at different ghats of the Karnuphuli River.