Sylhet transport workers declare indefinite strike from tomorrow

Transport workers in Sylhet have called for an indefinite strike beginning Tuesday (9 July), suspending all public and freight vehicle operations across the district to press for a six-point charter of demands.

The strike was jointly announced on Monday evening by the Sylhet district Road Transport Owners' Association and the Sylhet District Bus, Minibus, and Microbus Workers' Union jointly made the announcement at a press briefing.

Their primary demands include the cancellation of the government circular issued under Section 36 of the Road Transport Act 2018, which limits the economic lifespan of buses and minibuses to 20 years, trucks, pickups, and covered vans to 25 years, and CNG-run and three-wheeler vehicles to 15 years.

Additionally, they demand reopening stone quarries, restoration of electricity to crusher mills, compensation for the seized stone and sand, and the end of alleged harassment of transport workers. They put up a fresh demand that calls for the removal of the current deputy commissioner.

Previously, confusion emerged after Road Transport Owners' Association President Lokman Ahmad claimed buses would run as usual. However, union leaders reiterated the strike would begin as planned.

Reading out a written statement, Moynul Islam, president of Sylhet District Bus-Minibus, Coach-Microbus Workers' Union, alleged that transport owners, workers, and those involved in stone-related businesses in Sylhet have long been neglected and deprived under successive governments , reports UNB

He blamed a "government-backed syndicate" for the extreme suffering faced by millions of people in Sylhet following the closure of all stone quarries in 2018.

"Due to the shutdown of stone quarries, millions have become jobless in Sylhet, creating a famine-like situation. Yet, the government is spending billions of dollars to import stones from abroad," he alleged.

Moynul also termed the amendments to the Road Transport Act-2018, particularly Section 36, and the handing over of vehicle fitness certification to private firms, as part of a conspiracy to destroy the transport sector.

He further alleged that transport workers, especially truck drivers, face constant harassment in the name of vehicle checks by law enforcement.

The strike follows a separate 72-hour goods transport strike across Sylhet, which began Saturday and concludes today (9 July).