Railway running staff in Bangladesh have announced a work stoppage starting midnight on Monday due to unresolved complications regarding the inclusion of their running allowance with the basic salary for pension and gratuity benefits.
This could lead to a complete suspension of train services nationwide.
The Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers-Employees Association will enforce this program.
Confirming the decision to Bangla Tribune at 8:30pm, the association's General Secretary and Running Staff Coordination Council's Chief Coordinator, Md Mujibur Rahman, said: "We met with railway officials at the Rail Bhaban on Monday evening. However, our demands for mileage and running allowance were not met. Therefore, from 12:01am on January 28, we will stop operating trains, halting services nationwide."
Mujibur Rahman said: "To reverse the strike, the Ministry of Finance must issue a clarification letter, not the Ministry of Railways. This is not a new issue; it has been in practice for 160 years. Abruptly stopping a century-old rule is unacceptable to railway staff. We have given them repeated opportunities and withdrawn protests multiple times, but this time, there is no turning back."
He highlighted the shortage of running staff, saying: "While we should have 2,036 staff members, only 1,036 are currently employed. To maintain the train schedules, each individual must perform double duty, increasing their mileage payments. Despite working legally from December 1 to December 9 last year, train schedules were disrupted, and many services were cancelled due to the limited workforce. Yet, the promised benefits were not provided."
Regarding the strike, the General Manager of the Railway's Eastern Region, Md Subaktagin, told Bangla Tribune: "Discussions are ongoing with the running staff. Let's see how this unfolds."
Sources within the railways explained that running staff (including drivers, assistant drivers, guards, and ticket-checkers) are entitled to rest for 12 hours at their home station and eight hours at other locations after completing their duty. If they are engaged during this rest period, they receive additional allowances, known as mileage benefits.
On November 3, 2021, the Ministry of Finance instructed the Railway Ministry to limit mileage benefits to 30 working days' equivalent, replacing the unlimited system.
Additionally, allowances included in the basic salary for pensions and gratuities were excluded. This decision angered the running staff, sparking protests.
The staff have been demanding the reinstatement of unlimited mileage benefits for over three years.
They have staged several protests, including abstaining from extra work, but backed down following assurances from top railway officials.
On January 22, leaders of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers-Employees Union held a press conference at the Old Railway Station in Chittagong.
In a written statement, General Secretary Mujibur Rahman emphasized: "For 160 years, running staff have received pensions and gratuity benefits based on mileage after retirement. They keep trains running during any political or natural crisis without weekly or national holidays. However, during the current Awami League government, the Ministry of Finance reduced their salaries, pensions, and gratuities on November 3, 2021, to cover up corruption and wastage."
The press conference further said that the government has been given three extensions to address the issue, but the staff now demand a permanent solution.
They insist on revoking the Ministry of Finance's letter and the discriminatory conditions imposed on newly hired running staff.
