Metro rail strike averted, still uncertainty persists

The metro-rail operator has narrowly averted a fresh strike after its board approved long-pending service rules last week, easing immediate tensions with agitating staff.
However, officials and employees alike fear that delays in making the rules effective could once again destabilise operations.
Although the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) board endorsed the service rules at an emergency meeting on December 19, the document must still undergo a lengthy vetting process by several ministries.
Employees warn that any prolonged delay could revive discontent among staff who have repeatedly protested over employment benefits and job security.
They had halted metro rail operations on December 12 to press their demands, sources said.
However, DMTCL officials said the company will now have to wait at least several months to complete the vetting procedures required to enforce the rules, raising concerns that the situation could again become volatile.
"The service rules now need to complete the vetting process at the ministries of law, public administration and finance," a source said.
DMTCL has already sent the meeting resolution to the board chairman for signature. Once signed, the service rules will be forwarded to the relevant ministries for vetting, officials added.
The board had delayed approval of the service rules for the past several months after their formulation in May, which officials attributed partly to court restrictions on the recruitment of project officials.
Under earlier assurances, DMTCL is required to absorb technical staff recruited for different mass rapid transit (MRT) projects into the company's permanent workforce after project completion.
Employees in grades 9 to 16 staged work stoppages twice in November and December, withdrawing their protests each time after receiving assurances that the service rules would be approved at the next board meeting.
However, when a board meeting on December 9 again ended without approval, staff shut down metro rail operations on December 12.
The state-owned company has faced intermittent labour unrest since August 2024, as employees demanded the service rules to secure benefits such as a contributory provident fund (CPF), leave entitlements, promotions and overtime payments, despite the metro rail having been in operation for nearly a decade.
Amid mounting pressure, DMTCL persuaded board members to convene the emergency meeting on December 19. Following assurances of approval, staff agreed to suspend their strike action pending the board decision.
"We are now waiting for the implementation of the service rules after approval, as DMTCL officials have said some formalities remain," said one employee.
Responding to concerns over possible delays, DMTCL Director (Administration) AKM Khairul Alam told The Financial Express that the company would actively pursue the matter with the relevant ministries to expedite the vetting process, given the importance of the service rules.
"It may take some time to complete the next procedures, but we are trying to engage with the concerned ministries to reduce the time frame," he said.
DMTCL was established in 2014 to plan, construct and operate mass rapid transit lines across Dhaka.
Although board meetings have been held regularly, recruitment of staff directly under the company - rather than under individual MRT projects - only began in late 2019.
smunima@yahoo.com