Transport Owners and Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands

In a stern warning to the government, transport owners and workers have announced their intention to enforce a 72-hour nationwide strike starting from 12 August if their eight-point demands are not addressed by 11 August. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club at 11:00 am on Sunday, emphasizing the seriousness of their stance.

The joint event was organized by the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners’ Association, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation. Saiful Alam, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, stated in a written declaration that if their demands remain unfulfilled within the deadline, all forms of commercial transport including buses, trucks, covered vans, and prime movers, will stay off the roads from 6:00 am on 12 August until 6:00 am on 15 August.

He highlighted the vital role of road transport in the country’s economy, communication, and goods movement. “We are committed to making this sector disciplined, free from traffic congestion, accidents, and extortion, and to building a modern, inclusive, and passenger-friendly transport system,” he added.

Saiful Alam also referenced recent government directives instructing the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to remove buses and trucks older than 20 and 25 years, respectively, from the roads. This move has sparked regional protests and strikes across various districts.

Fearing a collapse of the national transport system, key stakeholders including the three transport associations and regional leaders held a joint meeting on 20 July in Dhaka. After extensive discussions, they agreed to submit a written appeal to the government within 15 working days, seeking resolution to their issues. Failure to reach an agreement could lead to a joint nationwide strike by owners and workers to safeguard their interests.

Their main demands are:

1. Amend Sections 98 and 105 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, along with other recommended clauses
2. Extend the permissible operational lifespan of commercial vehicles from 20–25 years to 30 years
3. Declare any vehicle unfit for operation if it fails fitness tests or causes environmental pollution, regardless of age
4. Allow older vehicles to operate outside metropolitan areas if they pass fitness tests, as per previous provisions
5. Suspend BRTA’s ongoing drive against 20–25-year-old vehicles until issues are resolved
6. Reduce the doubled presumptive income tax imposed on commercial vehicles in the current budget
7. Extend the import age limit for reconditioned commercial vehicles from 5 to 12 years to support phased-out fleet renewal
8. Enforce the provision to return accident-hit vehicles from police custody to owners within 72 hours

Additionally, they called for the formulation of a scrapping policy for outdated vehicles and the creation of separate lanes for three-wheelers and unauthorized light vehicles on highways to reduce road accidents.