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Truckers Begin Strike

Businesses hit hard

Auto-rickshaws also off the city streets

Staff Correspondent
Some transport workers armed with sticks try to prevent others from working at Tejgaon industrial area in the capital yesterday as trucks and lorry owners and workers go on a 48-hour strike from yesterday morning. PHOTO: FOCUS BANGLA
Business activities across the country are being seriously hampered as transportation of goods was halted after truck and covered-van owners began observing a 48-hour strike from yesterday morning.
Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Transport Agency Malik Sramik Oikya Parishad enforced the strike to press home their 14-point demand that include an end to highway robbery, extortion and police harassment.
Meanwhile, business community expressed their concern, saying that the strike will contribute to the price spiral of essentials.
AK Azad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said extortion on
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highways has reached to an intolerable level.
"We want the government take steps to prevent extortion in highway transportation. We will meet the home minister soon to express our concern in this regard,” he said.
If the government does not properly address the issue, the prices of basic commodities might go up due to supply disruption or paying extra to the hoarders, he observed.
Asif Ibrahim, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the businesses will be affected as transportation of goods by lorries or covered-vans will remain halted during the two-day strike.
"The government should look into the matter seriously so that the transportation of goods between Dhaka and Chittagong is not affected," he said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Rustom Ali, convener of truck-covered van owners' association, said trucks and covered-vans did not operate on roads and highways from 6:00am yesterday.
In a written statement, he urged his co-workers to observe the strike peacefully.
However, trucks and covered-vans that will carry relief materials for flood-affected people will remain out of the purview of the strike, he said.
About hampering business activities across the country, Rustom said, “The government is responsible
for the situation. It has compelled us to call the strike.”
“The government did not pay heed to our demands despite our repeated requests,” he added.
The 14-point demand of the association includes stopping extortion in ferry ghats, easing the process of issuing driving licence, allowing trucks and covered vans to ply city streets during daytime.
Meanwhile, owners of rod-carrying trucks in Chittagong yesterday withdrew their strike after leaders of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry assured them of addressing their demands, reports our Chittagong correspondent.
The owners of rod-carrying trucks went on an indefinite strike from Sunday demanding an end to frequent robbery of goods carrying vehicles on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
AUTO-RICKSHAW STRIKE A section of CNG-run autorickshaw drivers went on an indefinite strike in the capital from yesterday to press home their 10-point demand, especially to bring an end to overcharging daily deposits by autorickshaw owners.
"We will continue the strike until our demands are met," Mohammad Hanif, general secretary of Dhaka Au to-Rickshaw Sramik Union, told The Daily Star last night.
As per the government rate, auto-rickshaw owners are allowed to charge Tk 600
daily as deposit money. “But they charge between Tk 750 and Tk 1,300," alleged Hanif.
Dhaka Auto-Rickshaw Sramik Union and Dhaka Zila Auto-Rickshaw Sramik Union declared the strike yesterday from a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club. Dhaka Zila Four Stroke Auto-Rickshaw Drivers' Union also expressed solidarity with the programme.
On June 24, the associations submitted memoranda to different ministries concerned and to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) over the demands and gave an ultimatum until July 10 to fulfil those.
Hanif said there were around 25,000 workers registered with the two associations.
The organisations were to stage a protest rally in front of press club this morning.
The demands include cancellation of route permit system, setting up of park-ing spaces for auto-rickshaws, easing the licence issuing process and c o in p e n s a l i n g auto-rickshaw drivers in case injuries in accidents.
Earlier, Dhaka Mo hanagar CNG- Au lo Rickshaw Owners' Association called a 48-hour strike for Wednesday and Thursday to press their 10-point demand, mainly for withdrawal of the newly-imposed annual income tax.
They, however, withdrew the strike Tuesday after a meeting with the BRTA.