Indefinite transport strike called in Sylhet division from May 19
An indefinite road transport workers’ strike has been called in Sylhet division in protest against the filing of a case against the leaders of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation Sylhet divisional committee.
Transport workers’ leaders said the strike will begin on May 19 if the case is not withdrawn by May 18.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation Sylhet divisional committee on Thursday (May 14).
The leaders said at the meeting that workers from all sectors were outraged over the accusation against innocent labor leaders, including the divisional president and joint general secretary of the apex transport workers’ organization, in connection with the unexpected incident at the Sylhet Kadamtali bus terminal on April 27.
They said, “We are demanding a fair and impartial investigation into the incident and the unexpected deaths.
However, the labor community will not accept any conspiracy to destroy the unity of transport workers over this incident.”
Earlier, clashes, chases, and counter-chases broke out among workers in the terminal area from noon to afternoon on April 27. Two workers injured in the clash later died.
On May 5, the father of deceased worker Chhablu Mia filed a case with South Surma Police Station.
The case names 29 people, including Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation Sylhet Divisional Committee President Haji Mainul Islam, Joint General Secretary Ali Akbar Rajan, Treasurer Abdus Shahid, former Treasurer Shamsul Haque Manik, and former Organizing Secretary Nur Mia. Another 60 unidentified individuals have also been accused.
Transport workers’ leaders have called for a strike demanding the withdrawal of the case.
At Thursday’s meeting, it was decided that transport workers would observe an indefinite strike from 6:00 am on Tuesday, May 19, if the case against the federation leaders is not withdrawn.
Leaders called on transport workers at all levels to fully support the strike.
In addition to the divisional leaders of the federation, top leaders of road transport workers’ organisations from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts attended the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Delwar Hossain, acting president of the Sylhet divisional committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation, and conducted by General Secretary Sajib Ali.
The leaders further claimed that at the time of the incident, federation divisional president Haji Mainul Islam, joint general secretary Ali Akbar Rajan, treasurer Abdus Shahid, and other top leaders were conducting an election of a labor organisation in Nazirbazar.
According to them, the leaders rushed to the scene after hearing about the incident and played a key role in bringing the situation under control.
They alleged that innocent labor leaders had been falsely accused in the case and strongly condemned and protested against it.
The leaders also called on transport workers to make the all-out road transport strike in Sylhet division from 6:00 am on May 19 a success, demanding the withdrawal of the case filed against the leaders.
Among those who addressed the meeting were Nurul Haque, General Secretary of the Sunamganj District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Workers’ Union; Faizur Nur, President of the Sunamganj District Truck, Pickup and Covered Van Workers’ Union; Nur Uddin, General Secretary of the Sunamganj District CNG Workers’ Union; Kala Mia, President of the Moulvibazar District Truck, Pickup and Covered Van Workers’ Union; Adud Ahmed, Executive President of the Sylhet District Truck, Pickup and Covered Van Workers’ Union; Kawsar Ahmed, Treasurer Badal Ahmed, Azad Mia, General Secretary of the Sylhet District CNG Autorickshaw Workers’ Union; Insan Ali, General Secretary of the Sylhet District Ima Laguna Workers’ Union; Mahbub Mia, Joint General Secretary of the Sylhet District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Workers’ Union; Organizing Secretary Abul Hasnat Abul; and Publicity Secretary Harish Ali, among others.
