Train operations across Bangladesh have ground to a halt as running staff of the Bangladesh Railway commenced an indefinite strike, protesting unresolved complexities regarding pension payments and gratuity benefits linked to their running allowance.
The strike, which began at midnight on Tuesday (28 January), saw running staff—including train drivers, guards, and ticket-checkers—refuse to board scheduled trains, preventing their departure from originating stations.
In a statement issued earlier, signed by the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Union, concerns were raised over discrepancies in the terms of employment.
The statement highlighted that while the railway establishment code stipulates eligibility for a running allowance, recent amendments specify that the monthly running allowance cannot exceed the basic salary.
The union contends that such a restriction contradicts the code, which does not impose any ceiling on running allowances and states that compensation should be commensurate with actual work performed.
It also asserted that arbitrary conditions cannot be imposed within Bangladesh Railway, as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Railways, and the Bangladesh Railway itself are all governed by national law.
The statement further emphasised that selectively enforcing legal provisions while disregarding others is unlawful.
Demanding the revocation of what they deem discriminatory conditions, the union urged authorities to annul the inequitable clauses in newly issued appointment letters for running staff, as well as the Ministry of Finance’s directive dated 23 January, which they claim contradicts railway regulations.
Failure to issue an official order aligning with the railway code, the union warned, would compel all running staff to continue their indefinite strike from 28 January.
In response, the Ministry of Railways has called on the striking workers to withdraw their protest.
In a public notice issued by the ministry’s public relations officer, it was stated that both the Bangladesh Railway and the Ministry of Railways remain committed to addressing the demands of running staff and have already forwarded their concerns to the Ministry of Finance.
Bilateral discussions are reportedly ongoing alongside formal correspondence on the matter.
The ministry further noted that, as a result of its dedicated efforts, the running allowance has already been increased from 75% to 100%, while the mileage allowance conditions—previously requiring a minimum of eight hours of duty and 100 miles of travel—have been relaxed.
Assuring that further demands are being considered, the ministry urged all railway officials and employees to withdraw the strike and resume normal operations.
Despite these assurances, railway operations remain at a standstill, with uncertainty looming over the resolution of the ongoing dispute.
