Transport owners, workers in Ctg announce 24-hour strike on 20 July over four demands
According to the transport owners, if implemented, this directive will render around 8,000 vehicles inoperable across Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Banshkhali, Anwara, and Rauzan
Transport owners and workers in Chattogram have announced a 24-hour strike on 20 July to press home four key demands, including the withdrawal of a government decision that sets a maximum lifespan for commercial vehicles.
The announcement came last evening (12 July) following an emergency meeting of the Chattogram Public and Goods Transport Owners' Federation at the Kadamtali Inter-District Transport Owners' Association office in Chattogram city, according to a press release.
Leaders said the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued a circular on 19 June under Section 36 of the Road Transport Act 2018, fixing the economic life of buses and minibuses at 20 years and setting separate time limits for freight vehicles.
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According to the transport owners, if implemented, this directive will render around 8,000 vehicles inoperable across Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Banshkhali, Anwara, and Rauzan.
They argued that amid a global economic crisis, increased costs of spare parts, and unequal tax burdens, many operators are financially unable to replace aging vehicles.
They warned that enforcing the lifespan limit without stakeholder consultation would push the transport sector toward disaster.
The leaders also noted that although six demands were placed in a press conference on 30 June, no progress has been made since.
In response, the federation has now raised four urgent demands and called for a strike beginning at 6:00am on 20 July, lasting for 24 hours.
The demands include scrapping the economic lifespan decision and revising it through discussions with transport stakeholders.
They also want amendments to the Road Transport Act 2018 to reflect proposals from the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association, Bus-Truck Owners' Association, and the federation.
The withdrawal of previously imposed presumptive income tax is another major demand.
Additionally, the leaders oppose any effort to hand over transport sector control to private companies under the pretext of 'management', saying no individual agency should be allowed to control transport owners and workers.
They warned that if their demands are ignored, transport operations in Chattogram and surrounding districts will come to a standstill and the government will have to bear the consequences.
Senior transport leaders and representatives of the workers were present during the meeting.
