DMTCL workers demand immediate implementation of service rules

Employees suspend ongoing sit-in considering passenger inconvenience, but warn of tougher action if demands remain unmet.

Regular employees of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) have set August 6 as the deadline for implementing their long-pending demand for a separate service rules framework, warning of tougher programmes if their demand is not fulfilled within the timeframe.

However, considering the inconvenience of passengers, the employees have suspended their ongoing sit-in programme until August 6, according to a statement issued by regular officials and employees of DMTCL on Friday.

The employees said that although DMTCL was established in 2013, no independent service rules have yet been introduced for its nearly 900 officials and employees.

They said the absence of proper policies regarding disciplinary measures, job security and other employment-related issues has created uncertainty, discrimination and a lack of transparency in the administration, affecting metro rail operations and maintenance activities.

According to the statement, service rules were approved at the company’s 73rd board meeting following repeated demands from employees. Although the board of the autonomous company operating under the Companies Act has the authority to implement the rules, the proposal was later sent to the Finance Division and the Ministry of Public Administration for opinions, resulting in delays.

The employees said around seven months have passed since the approval, despite multiple memoranda submitted to the authorities, with no visible progress made so far.

Due to continued inaction and lack of a satisfactory response, employees began a sit-in programme on July 28 in front of the metro rail building in Uttara Diabari while keeping train services operational.

They later suspended the programme after the scheduled DMTCL board meeting on July 30 was postponed for unavoidable reasons, keeping passenger convenience in mind.

The employees warned that if the service rules are not implemented by August 6, officials and employees at all levels will be compelled to launch tougher programmes.

They said any public suffering caused by such action would be the responsibility of the DMTCL authorities.

The employees expressed hope that the authorities would take positive steps to implement the service rules at the next board meeting to ensure uninterrupted passenger services and protect workers’ legitimate rights.