Chattogram Bureau :
Private and goods transport owners of the country have called for a nationwide strike starting Friday morning due to the recent price hike of diesel and kerosene.
Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Owners Association President Md Tofazzal Hossain Majumder confirmed the news to The New Nation.
“Transport owners are already under a lot of pressure. Now, due to the increased price of diesel, it will be impossible for us to operate vehicles. This move [fuel price hike] is illogical,” he said.
Moreover, the government did not discuss the issue of price hikes with the transport leaders, Tofazzal Hossain claimed. He added that the strike would continue until further notice.
Besides, Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry, Prime Mover Owners and Workers’ Coordination Council, in a press release, said that the government move to increase fuel prices along with the toll for Bangabandhu and Muktarpur bridges will add to the misery of the already Covid-19 ravaged transport sector. In Chattogram, transport owners and workers are to suspend public transport operations from Friday.
Belayet Hossain, president of Chattogram Transport Owner Group said, “There are 1,200 buses currently running in the city. We have already suspended our operations in different parts of the district. We will go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow protesting the fuel price increase.”
M Musa, president of Chattogram CNG-Auto rickshaw Labour Union echoed Belayet Hossain said, “We were directed from Dhaka to suspend our services from Friday. Though we have a meeting this evening to decide on the matter.” Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association sent a letter addressing the secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the private secretary to the Road Transport and Bridges Minister to increase fares for long haul buses.
Customers will have to pay Tk80 for per litre of diesel or kerosene from Thursday, said a press release of Energy And Mineral Resources Division on Wednesday night.
