36-hour bus strike disrupts Ctg–Cox’s Bazar route, passengers suffer
The disruption came at a time when demand for transport on this route is usually higher, from Thursday to Saturday, due to the weekly holidays.
Workers of four closed-door buses operating on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route observed a 36-hour strike demanding a pay raise.
As a result of the strike by workers of Marsha Paribahan, Saudia Paribahan, Purabi Paribahan, and Shadhin Travels on this route, more than 200 buses remained off the roads, leaving passengers in distress.
The workers observed the strike from 6am on Thursday (4 September) to 6pm yesterday (5 September).
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The disruption came at a time when demand for transport on this route is usually higher, from Thursday to Saturday, due to the weekly holidays.
According to bus workers and owners, around 700 to 800 drivers, supervisors, and helpers are employed in more than 200 vehicles operated by Marsha Paribahan, Saudia Paribahan, Purabi Paribahan, andShadhin Travels.
Mohammad Musa, general secretary of the Arakan Road Transport Workers' Union, which represents workers operating on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route, told The Business Standard, "Salaries are fixed for the closed-door buses. They have no additional income. The last time fares were increased was in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, the wages for a driver, helper, and supervisor—three workers for every two trips (round trip)—were raised from Tk1,700 to Tk2,200. Based on this, a driver now gets Tk1,100, while the helper and supervisor receive Tk550 each."
He further said, "Prices of essentials keep going up, but their wages are not increasing. With such wages, they cannot run their families. Even if accidents occur, owners do not check on them. There is no welfare fund either. That is why the workers have demanded a pay raise."
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association central President Kofil Uddin Ahmed sees the movement, limited to only four operators, as a conspiracy.
"Wages were last increased just two years ago. If wages are increased, they will be increased for everyone. Why only for closed-door buses? I believe this movement is aimed at shutting down closed-door buses on the route," he told TBS.
