Transport strike continues

• Launch owners start from today
• Consumers face price hike
• Discussion with minister fails

Mahfuja Mukul: The transport owners and workers associations have decided to continue the ongoing country-wide transport strike until the additional fuel price is withdrawn. Transport owners in port city have halted the strike but the vessel owners’ association yesterday started strike demanding the withdrawn of diesel price hike or increase the passenger fare.
The halted transport movement has increased the sufferings of the commoners and increased the commodity price over the country.
Leaders of the Truck Owners and Workers Federation have vowed to continue the nationwide transport strike until the additional fuel prices are withdrawn or transport fares are increased.
“We will continue the strike until our demand is met,” the leaders of the federation said after meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at his residence in the capital’s Dhanmondi yesterday.
The home minister reportedly affirmed to them that the decision would be announced after talking to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Additional Secretary General of the Truck Workers-Owners Federation Abdul Motaleb told Daily Industry that the strike will end only after one of the two demands are met. He said the transport owners of the country have no intention to continue with the strike if the government can reach a solution through negotiations. The government hiked diesel and kerosene prices by Tk15 to Tk80 per litre on Wednesday, citing a volatile global market for crude oil. In response, transport owners and workers called an indefinite nationwide strike, demanding either a rise in fares or a reversal of the hike.
Commuters had a harrowing time on Saturday morning as the indefinite nationwide transport strike protesting the recent price hike of diesel and kerosene prices entered day two.
In Dhaka, most modes of public transports including buses, both intra and inter-city, stayed off the roads adding to the miniseries of the general people.
Besides, vegetable prices in the capital’s kitchen markets have seen a hike today due to the ongoing transport strike.
Launch owners Started strike
Amid the ongoing nationwide public bus and truck strike protesting fuel price hike, the launch owners yesterday said they will not operate their vessels.
“We had a meeting on Friday about raising fare. We also talked to BIWTA chairman over phone. He told us that there was a meeting with us yesterday over the issue. But he has not contacted us yet,” said Bangladesh Inland Water Passenger Carrier Association’s (BIWPCA) Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Patwary.
“Now the launch owners are reluctant to run the vessels. However, the organisation has not declared any programme or strike,” he added.
After a meeting on Friday, BIWPCA Vice President Badiuzzaman Badal said launches operating less than 100 km will charge passengers an additional Tk20 and an additional Tk10 for subsequent distances.
The government hiked diesel and kerosene prices by Tk15 to Tk80 per litre on Wednesday, citing a volatile global market for crude oil. In response, transport owners and workers called an indefinite nationwide strike, demanding either a rise in fares or a reversal of the hike.
Commuters had a harrowing time on Saturday morning as the indefinite nationwide transport strike protesting the recent price hike of diesel and kerosene prices entered day two.
In Dhaka, most modes of public transports including buses, both intra and inter-city, stayed off the roads adding to the miseries of the general people.
Besides, vegetable prices in the capital’s kitchen markets have seen a hike today due to the ongoing transport strike.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the Truck Owners and Workers Federation have vowed to continue the nationwide transport strike until the additional fuel prices are withdrawn or transport fares are increased.
“We will continue the strike until our demand is met,” the leaders of the federation said after meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at his residence in the capital’s Dhanmondi today.
Commodity prices go up
Vegetable prices in the capital’s kitchen markets have seen a hike today due to the ongoing transport strike across the country enforced in protest against the rise in fuel prices.
On Saturday, vegetables are being sold at a higher price of Tk5 to Tk10 per kg in the commodity markets.
Store owners and vegetable sellers said that truck owners have increased fares due to the hike in diesel prices. As a result, transportation costs have increased. Besides, due to the announcement of the strike, a small number of trucks came to Dhaka on Thursday night carrying goods. So, the prices of vegetables have gone up today.
Ruhul Amin, a vegetable seller at Kawran Bazar, said, “Our buying prices have increased by Tk5 per kg. The wholesalers are saying it is because of increased transport costs. So, the selling prices had to be raised too.”
Abdul Khalek, a vegetable seller in Moghbazar, said, “Even two days ago, I bought a crate of tomatoes for Tk2,550. Today I had to buy it for Tk2,700. The tomatoes are being sold for Tk110/kg now.”
He fears the prices may further rise if trucks don’t come in with the goods tomorrow.
Eggplant, which sold for Tk75 two days ago, is being sold for Tk80-100 yesterday. Okra is now Tk60 per kg.
Green chilli is being sold for Tk110-120, with a Tk10 increase from previous days; the same is the case for tomatoes. Pumpkin prices have increased up to Tk60.
Lower income families are already suffering as the price of daily essentials rise further amid the ongoing price hike of commodities.
Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) President Ghulam Rahman said the government should go back to the previous prices of fuel. Otherwise, the situation of the low-income group would be worsened.
The government hiked diesel and kerosene prices by Tk15 to Tk80 per litre on Wednesday, citing a volatile global market for crude oil. In response, transport owners and workers called an indefinite nationwide strike, demanding either a rise in fares or a reversal of the hike.