Crisis looms over rail services as running staff set to begin strike today over allowance  | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
Crisis looms over rail services as running staff set to begin strike today over allowance 

Bangladesh

Abul Kashem & Foisal Ahmed
28 January, 2025, 12:30 am
Last modified: 28 January, 2025, 03:25 pm

Related News

  • Train operations to face no disruption for granting special trains: BR
  • Railway allocates special trains for Jamaat's national rally in Dhaka
  • Despite profitability, Betna Express rail service handed over to pvt sector
  • Bangladesh signs $630m loan deal with Japan for Joydebpur-Ishwardi rail project
  • Railway authority clarifies removal of temporary Puja structure from govt land in Khilkhet

Crisis looms over rail services as running staff set to begin strike today over allowance 

Abul Kashem & Foisal Ahmed
28 January, 2025, 12:30 am
Last modified: 28 January, 2025, 03:25 pm
File Photo: BSS
File Photo: BSS

A major disruption looms for rail travellers across the country as Bangladesh Railway's running staff remain firm in their decision to begin an indefinite strike this morning, demanding the restoration of allowances cancelled two years ago.

The railway ministry convened a meeting based on the running staff's concerns and input from the finance ministry. However, the staff refused to attend the meeting yesterday, maintaining their firm stance.

"We rejected the railway ministry's meeting invitation, and none of our members attended it," Md Mojibur Rahman, general secretary of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers' Association, told The Business Standard last evening.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"We learned that our demands will not be met and that we'll be asked for more time. As a result, we will halt train services starting Tuesday, and our strike will continue," he added.

A source at the railway ministry told TBS, "We invited the running staff for discussions, but they refused to engage."

The source emphasised, "This issue must be resolved through dialogue, as we cannot act outside the finance ministry's framework. However, if train services are disrupted, resulting in public inconvenience, strict action will be taken."

Seeking anonymity, an official of the railways' operations department warned, "If the workers responsible for train operations do not report for duty, services will be halted, causing significant disruption for passengers."

Bangladesh Railway has been under pressure for years as it has not received approval for essential allowances for running staff, including locomasters and guards, which were withheld by the Finance Division in 2022. 

Despite ongoing efforts, the issue remains unresolved, leading to multiple strikes and disruptions in rail services. Staff, including locomasters, assistant locomasters and sub-locomasters, typically work 15 to 18 hours a day, with the allowances forming part of their salary, said Mojibur Rahman. 

Since the cancellation of this benefit in January 2022, the Railway Running Staff Unity Council has continued protesting, but their demands remain unmet, he added.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the director general of Bangladesh Railway wrote to the railway ministry on 30 December 2024, urging action on the running staff's demands. 

The ministry forwarded the letter to the finance ministry the same day, highlighting the point that while mileage entitlements were granted to carriage attendants in November 2021, long-standing benefits for running staff, including locomasters and guards, were revoked or reduced. 

The letter, a copy of which was seen by TBS, emphasised that running allowances, previously part of the salary for pension and gratuity calculations, were eliminated by the finance ministry's decision in November 2021, with no resolution despite repeated attempts.

This has led to widespread discontent among field-level running employees of Bangladesh Railway, who have gone on strike several times. Although high-level meetings were held, no decisions were reached, causing intense dissatisfaction. As a result, the running employees announced an indefinite strike starting 28 June 2023.

A meeting with all stakeholders was held on 29 August 2023. At its conclusion, the Cabinet Secretary decided that the running allowance, pension and additional benefits received by the Railway Running Staff under the Railway Establishment Rules are valid according to the law and will continue as before, according to sources. 

Despite the unanimous decision, no notification has been issued by the finance ministry, leading to severe disappointment, anger and dissatisfaction among the running staff. 

This has resulted in the dismissal of many newly recruited assistant locomasters Grade-2 employees and created a serious crisis in train operations. Currently, there is a significant shortage of running staff in the railway, with approximately 50% of positions vacant.

Due to the unresolved issue of mileage discrimination, newly appointed running staff went on strike from 1 December 2024, causing severe disruptions to train services. 

After discussions, it was agreed that the long-standing complications related to pension and mileage would be resolved by 31 December 2024, leading the running staff to suspend their strike. 

However, the railway letter warns that if the issues are not resolved by 27 January, train services could face further disruptions.

Al Fattah Masudur Rahman, additional director general of Bangladesh Railway, told TBS, "We agree and support the staff's deserved allowances and benefits. They are entitled to these. However, it's a long-term issue, as approving allowances does not solely depend on the railway directorate or ministry. We must convince the government on this matter."

He emphasised, "The finance ministry is responsible for approving financial benefits, but it treats it as a routine issue, putting us under pressure."

Rahman added, "From the start, we have been urging the agitating staff to remain patient and allow us to secure government approval, but how long can we keep them waiting? The Finance Division should take this matter seriously." 

 

Bangladesh Railway / Railway

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA
  • Volunteers collect and gather parts of the wrecked plane from the Milestone School and College grounds on Tuesday, a day after the devastating aircraft crash. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Grief, angst and anger: The unbearable toll of Milestone crash
  • Infographics: TBS
    How climate change drives up your grocery bill

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • The jet plane charred after crash on 21 July at the Milestone school premises. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Milestone plane crash: Death toll rises to 31 as nine more succumb to injuries
  • Students and police clash at Milestone School and College on 22 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Protesting Milestone students clash with police, besiege law and education advisers
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Aerial view of the Milestone school premises where the crash took place on 21 July. Photo: Olid Ebna Shah/ TBS
    ‘Why here?’: Concerns expressed over airbase inside city

Related News

  • Train operations to face no disruption for granting special trains: BR
  • Railway allocates special trains for Jamaat's national rally in Dhaka
  • Despite profitability, Betna Express rail service handed over to pvt sector
  • Bangladesh signs $630m loan deal with Japan for Joydebpur-Ishwardi rail project
  • Railway authority clarifies removal of temporary Puja structure from govt land in Khilkhet

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

16h | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

10h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

9h | TBS Today
What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

9h | TBS Today
Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

9h | TBS Today
Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

9h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net