A nationwide work stoppage by Bangladesh Railway's running staff has disrupted train operations across the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The strike, which commenced at midnight on Tuesday (28 January), stems from unresolved complexities regarding the integration of running allowances with basic salary for pension and gratuity calculations.
In response to the disruption, the Ministry of Railways has launched Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) bus services on major railway routes to facilitate passenger movement.
According to a statement issued on 28 January by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, public relations officer of the Ministry of Railways, ticket-holding passengers travelling between Dhaka and key destinations—including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna, Cumilla, Bogura, and Mymensingh—may use BRTC buses without additional cost.
The service will remain operational until further notice.
The striking railway personnel, comprising train drivers, guards, and ticket-checkers, have refused to board scheduled trains since the strike began, resulting in no departures from originating stations.
The crisis arose following a dispute over changes to employment terms, which, according to the Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Union, contradict the Bangladesh Railway Establishment Code.
A statement signed by union General Secretary Mojibur Rahman asserts that, while running allowances are recognised under the code, a newly imposed condition limits monthly allowances to the employee’s basic salary—an arbitrary restriction not prescribed by the code.
The union contends that such unilateral conditions are unlawful, as all government entities, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Railways, and Bangladesh Railway, are bound by national law.
The statement further decries discriminatory employment terms imposed on newly recruited running staff and calls for the withdrawal of a Finance Ministry directive issued on 23 January, which the union claims contradicts railway laws.
Unless these demands are met and formal orders aligning with railway regulations are issued, the striking workers have vowed to continue their protest indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has urged railway staff to reconsider their decision and resume duties, assuring them of the government's commitment to addressing their concerns.
The ministry noted that significant progress has already been made, including increasing the running allowance from 75% to 100% and relaxing mileage allowance conditions by reducing the minimum requirement to eight hours and 100 miles.
Additionally, negotiations with the Finance Ministry are ongoing.
Despite these efforts, the impasse persists, leaving the nation’s railway system in paralysis and forcing passengers to seek alternative means of transport.
