Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTC) employees, recruited through direct open appointments, have announced that they will cease operating the metro rail if a comprehensive employment policy is not formulated within the next three working days.
In a press statement issued on Monday (17 February), the employees emphasised their long-standing demand for a formal employment policy.
In response, senior DMTC officials conducted an extensive discussion on the draft policy and assured that necessary amendments would be made before presenting it for approval at a board meeting.
Previously, on 12 September, an adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges had instructed DMTC to draft a complete employment policy. However, despite five months passing, no formal policy has been enacted for reasons yet to be disclosed.
This delay has led to over 200 highly skilled, locally and internationally trained employees resigning, raising concerns about the continued operation and maintenance of the metro rail system.
The employees’ statement warned that unless the employment policy is finalised by 20 February, metro rail services will be halted from 21 February (Friday).
If the suspension occurs, the DMTC authorities will bear full responsibility for the resulting inconvenience to Dhaka commuters.
