Bangladesh’s railway network faced a massive disruption on Tuesday as railway staff launched an indefinite strike, demanding fair compensation for overtime work and pension benefits. The strike has left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded, impacting the daily operations of the country’s vital rail system.
Key Impacts of the Strike
- Train Operations Affected:
- Around 400 passenger trains, including over 100 inter-city services and three dozen freight trains, have come to a halt.
- The railway typically serves 250,000 passengers daily, who are now forced to seek alternative modes of transportation.
- Passenger Struggles:
- Many travelers, like Reza Fakir from Kushtia, have been forced to switch to buses, incurring double the cost of travel.
- Temporary Measures by the Government:
- The railways ministry has arranged for pre-booked train ticket holders to use government-operated bus services on major routes.
Background and Worker Demands
- Overtime Pay and Pension Concerns:
- Railway staff, including drivers, guards, and ticket checkers, have long worked beyond scheduled hours due to manpower shortages.
- Traditionally, overtime pay and pension benefits calculated on additional hours have compensated for this workload.
- Policy Changes Leading to Discontent:
- In November 2021, a government decision removed pension benefits tied to overtime pay, sparking protests among workers.
- Though the railways ministry restored the benefits in April 2022, workers fear the policy could be reversed under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
- Issues with New Recruits:
- Recent hires are explicitly excluded from both overtime pay and pension benefits, further escalating discontent.
Government’s Response
The railways ministry has appealed to workers to call off the strike, assuring them of ongoing negotiations with the finance ministry to resolve their grievances. The statement emphasized the government’s commitment to meeting staff demands.
Economic and Social Impacts
The railway strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to Bangladesh’s economy, affecting freight transport and straining alternative travel systems like buses. It also highlights broader labor tensions in the country, particularly in essential services.
As negotiations continue, the resolution of this standoff will be critical to restoring normalcy and addressing worker concerns over financial security and fair compensation.
