Business News
River transport workers call indefinite strike in Bangladesh
Mar 16, 2010, 14:00 GMT
Dhaka - Water transport workers on Tuesday began an indefinite strike on all river routes across Bangladesh as they demanded better pay and working conditions, their leaders said.
The Water Vessel Workers Federation imposed the strike at a meeting involving government representatives, owners and workers after the workers' demands were rejected Monday.
None of the 12 boats scheduled to depart for southern ports left from Dhaka's main terminal Tuesday morning, said Mohammd Masud, a shipping traffic inspector.
'We have no alternative to going on strike because no one paid heed to our demands,' said Shah Alam, a leader of the federation, which has been demanding a new pay scale in the wake of price hikes of essential commodities.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said the problem involved the vessel owners and workers and they have to resolve their own problems through negotiations.
'The government cannot impose a solution,' Khan said. 'Both sides must come to a consensus.'
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