Syed Shemul Parvez :
Most of the transport workers do not get monetary supports from their leaders during their crisis period, even they pay regular subscriptions in the workers’ welfare fund. But money goes into the pockets of leaders, workers alleged.
According to the sources, in truth this is extortion, and nothing else. This is one of the vital reasons for chaos in the transport sector.
At Gabtoli Bus Terminal alone, Taka 120 is collected daily from each bus in the name of Workers Federation, Dhaka District Vehicle Workers Union and Transport Owners and Community Police.
Out of Tk 120, Tk 30 is collected daily in the name of Dhaka Paribahan Malik Samiti, Tk 20 in the name of Greater Mirpur-Mohammadpur Bus Malik Samiti and Tk 10 in the name of Community Police from same terminal.
In addition to Tk 60, Dhaka District
Vehicle Workers Union collects another 60 taka in four slips every day.
Gabtoli Inter-District and Urban Bus Terminal Workers Committee collect Tk 10, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Tk 10, Gabtoli Bus Terminal Owners-Workers Community Police Steering Committee Tk 10 and Dhaka District Vehicle Workers’ Union Tk 30.
Money is collected in a fancy way. First, the number of total vehicles of each company operating on the road is calculated. Later, the money is collected from the counter.
According to the transports workers, the Dhaka District Vehicle Workers’ Union does nothing for their workers ‘welfare, even though they pay money as their subscriptions every day. Everyone has to pay.
We did not get any sort of help during the corona epidemic. We are even thinking of canceling the card, workers added.
Abbas Uddin, President of the workers’ union, claimed that though the union collected only Tk 30, it is in reality taka 60.
Abbas Uddin said also, “No deposited money is maintained here.” The money is deposited with Alamin’s brother Jasim. We have brought relief four times and distributed it to the workers. Even, we have distributed relief among the workers taking from various organizations, he added.
There are also allegations that the Dhaka District Vehicle Workers Union has been in power for a long time with the help of the influential group. During this time more than one hundred crore taka has been collected.
