Sylhet transport leaders threaten strike

The transport workers’ strike called in Sylhet division on May 19 demanding the withdrawal of the false case filed against the top local transport workers’ leaders in the Kadamtali Terminal clash and the arrest of those involved was suspended on the orders of the police administration, but the administration did not take effective action until June 6. As a result, the transport workers’ organisation leaders have threatened another strike.

The labor leaders present at the emergency meeting of the Sylhet District Bus Minibus Coach Microbus Workers’ Union on Tuesday and gave a warning of a strike. In addition to the district workers’ union leaders, the presidents, general secretaries and organizational secretaries of 82 road sub-committees included in the union were present at the meeting.

Sylhet District Bus Minibus Coach Microbus Workers Union (Reg. No. B-1418) President, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Sylhet Divisional Committee President and Central Committee Joint General Secretary Haji Mainul Islam and the Federation’s Divisional Joint General Secretary and Acting General Secretary of the District Bus Minibus Coach Microbus Workers Union Ali Akbar Rajan addressed and were present at the meeting held at the organisation’s office in South Surma Bhabna Point. Sylhet District Bus Minibus Coach Microbus Workers Union Executive President Saheb Ali, Vice President Manik Mia, Deputy General Secretary Mahbub Mia Mobu, Organizing Secretary Abul Hasnat, Publicity Secretary Haris Ali, Treasurer Abdus Shahid, Executive Members Sheikh Aziz, Atiq Mia, Saiful Islam, Shahab Uddin and Sheikh Farid spoke and were present.

The leaders said at the meeting that the leaders of the transport workers’ organization, including Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation Sylhet Divisional Committee President Haji Mainul Islam, Joint General Secretary Ali Akbar Rajan.

Treasurer Abdus Shahid, announced an indefinite transport workers’ strike in Sylhet division from May 19 demanding the withdrawal of the false cases filed against the workers’ leaders.

In view of this, on May 17, after exchanging views with the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation Sylhet Divisional Committee suspended its work programme until June 6 at an emergency meeting.

At that meeting, the SMP Commissioner assured that innocent leaders would be exempted from the case subject to a fair investigation, that if evidence of involvement in the incident is not found in the primary investigation, the leaders would not be arrested and harassed, and that those involved would be arrested. But even after June 9, no visible steps were seen from the administration. As a result, the workers’ leaders have united to declare a strike again.

The meeting called on the labor leaders not to get involved in any kind of conflict. Emphasis was placed on consolidating and strengthening the unity of the organization. In addition, the meeting called on the drivers to comply with the traffic law and carry the necessary documents.

Meanwhile, on April 27, two workers died while undergoing treatment in the hospital in a clash between the two sides of the workers at the Kadamtali Central Bus Terminal. In this incident, a case was filed against the president of the Sylhet Divisional Committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, Haji Mainul Islam, joint general secretary Ali Akbar Rajan, treasurer Abdus Shahid, former treasurer Shamsul Haque Manik and former organizing secretary Nur Mia, along with innocent labor leaders.