The cargo owners who went on an indefinite strike demanding rational fixation of workers minimum wage withdrew their strike on Monday upon the government’s assurance of meeting their demand.
“As Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan have assured us that a committee, headed by an additional secretary, will soon fix workers’ wage rationally we have withdrawn our strike,” said Cargo Owners’ Association Mahmub Ahmed. Dhaka, UNB news agency reported.
He was talking to reporters at a joint press briefing at the ministry after their meeting with the Shipping Minister over the issue.
Shajahan Khan said,” I can assure the workers they won’t be affected by the decision as their wage will be fixed rationally. This decision has been taken after discussions with owners and workers.”
On Thursday last, the cargo vessel owners stopped plying goods-laden vessels following the government’s decision to review the minimum wages of vessel workers- possibly keeping the highest wage at Tk 10,000 and lowest at Tk 9,000- for three classes of workers in the sector.
Earlier on Tuesday night, vessel workers who had been on a strike since April 20 midnight to press home their 15-point demand called off their strike upon assurances from the government of meeting their demands.
President of Bangladesh River Vessel Workers’ Federation Shah Alam made the announcement after a fruitful meeting with Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and representatives of the river vessel owners and workers.
At the meeting, the government assured them of meeting the demands, including reviewing the wages structure by May 10.
The government formed a committee to finalise the new minimum wages –keeping the highest wage at Tk 10,000 and lowest at Tk 9,000 — for three classes of workers in the sector.
Vessel workers enforced the indefinite strike on April 20 midnight.
However, two days after its enforcement, the vessel strike was partially postponed on Friday night when the workers decided to run only passenger-carrying vessels until May 10.
