Transport workers in Sylhet have called off their indefinite strike today following nine and a half hours of commuter suffering.
The decision was reached after transport workers' leaders convened a meeting with Sylhet's deputy commissioner and the city mayor at the district administration's conference hall in the afternoon, as reported by our staff correspondent.
The transport workers went on an indefinite strike to push for their five-point demand, including an end to the gas crisis, dropping cases filed against them, and addressing police harassment.
The movement of all types of vehicles on regional and inter-district routes was halted since 6am this morning, Joint General Secretary of the Sylhet Bus-Minibus Workers’ Union Ali Akbar told the Bangladesh First.
Due to the strike, commuters, especially secondary school certificate (SSC) and equivalent exam candidates, faced significant challenges. Police were seen assisting examinees and students by transporting them to their destinations using police vans.
Earlier, on Sunday (25 February), transport workers held a human chain at Court Point in the city under the banner of the Sylhet Road Transport Workers’ Union Parishad, announcing their intent to strike from Wednesday if their demands were not met by Tuesday.
Speakers at the event lamented that the allocated gas load typically depletes by 18 to 20 days each month, leaving CNG-run vehicle drivers in a state of helplessness.
They further expressed frustration that despite waiting in queues for hours, transport workers often fail to procure gas.
Ali Akber Rajon said they had communicated with Sylhet's divisional commissioner, deputy commissioner, and local lawmakers in an effort to resolve the crisis, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
Consequently, the workers have initiated the strike to press their five-point demands, Rajon added.
