Transport workers in the four districts of Sylhet division are observing a day-long strike to press home their seven-point demand.
Sylhet divisional unit of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation (BRTWF) called for the strike that started at 6am on Monday.
Private cars and ambulances will not be subject to the strike and will be allowed to move freely.
The strike was called to realize their demands for amending some sections of the “Road Transport Act 2018.”
At a press briefing on Saturday, federation President Selim Ahmed announced the strike. He mentioned that the seven-point demand includes a change in the sections under which a murder case was filed over the death of Sylhet Agriculture University student Wasim Afnan in a road accident.
Workers demanded that the case be filed under section 304 instead of section 302 of the Penal Code.
Some other demands of the workers include that: the fine under section 105 of newly-proposed Road Transport Act 2018 be reduced from Tk5 lakh to Tk50,000; sections 84, 98 and 105 of the act be made bail-able; the fine under sections 84 and 98 of the act be reduced from Tk3 lakh to Tk30,000; no vehicle be requisitioned in other districts and drivers get a DA and fuel cost for the requisition; no toll be collected at any bridge on highways; and police harassment be stopped on highways with vehicles being checked anywhere except for some specific places.
