“Will amendments in the new transport law ensure the safety of transport workers who die in road accidents each year?” asked Ilias Kanchan, chairman of ‘Nirapad Sharak Chai’.
He posed this question to transport owners, drivers, and helpers, demanding the inclusion of a bail clause in the new Road Transport Act, 2018, to safeguard the interests of offending transport workers in an accident scenario.
At a press conference held in Dhaka on Saturday, he upheld his opinion about reconsideration of the new law by the government, in facing the anger of transport workers, .
He alleged that the peopl, who don’t want the new law, are willing to stay above the law and show their power on the road.
Urging the transport sector to talk about the inconsistencies of the new law, he said: “Without speaking about the inconsistencies, an unstable situation is being created out of fear before any loss.”
President of Nirapad Sharak Chai, Ilias Kanchan, speaks at a press conference held in Dhaka on Saturday, November 30, 2019 | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Claiming that he was presented as someone against drivers and helpers, Ilias Kanchan said: “They only blame, instead of addressing the particulars of the new law. They did not concentrate on licensing, fitness and other irregularities like changing the shape and appearance of a vehicle.”
He said if people in the transport sector paid attention to these things before the implementation of the new law, the government would not need to reconsider it, except for a few new things in the law.
Defending himself, Ilias Kanchan said: “I have no chance to change the law. Nonetheless, saying offensive words targeting me is unfortunate.”
He said, his organisation is working to make people conscious and drivers skilful and humane.
“A vested group is spreading propaganda against me and trying to make me an enemy of transport drivers and workers, which is unfortunate. By creating ag, they might want to capitalize on it,” he added.
Ilias Kanchan raised a question about how much money transport owners spend on their workers.
About the demand for a bail clause for transport workers in the new law, he said: “Will it provide safety to transport workers who die in accidents each year?” he asked.
