Bus Services from Northern Districts to Dhaka Halted Amid Wage Dispute

Indefinite Suspension Imposed

Long-distance bus services from Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, and Natore to the capital city of Dhaka have been indefinitely suspended. The decision, implemented by bus owners on the night of Thursday, September 25, at approximately 10 PM, follows an escalating dispute over wage increases for transport workers. This abrupt halt has caused significant distress for passengers, particularly those traveling ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja holidays.

Background to the Wage Dispute

The suspension is the latest development in a series of disagreements between bus owners and transport workers regarding remuneration. Workers have reportedly been demanding wage hikes for nearly a decade, citing rising commodity prices. Previously, drivers on the Rajshahi-Dhaka route received around Tk1,250 per trip, while supervisors earned Tk500 and assistants Tk400. For Chapainawabganj-Dhaka routes, drivers received Tk1,350, supervisors Tk570, and helpers Tk530.

A meeting held in Dhaka on September 23 aimed to resolve the crisis, resulting in an agreement that would see drivers receive Tk1,750, supervisors Tk750, and assistants Tk700 per trip, effective September 26. However, just hours before the new wages were to be implemented, bus owners announced the suspension of services.

Owners Cite 'Irrational Demands'

Bus owners, represented by figures such as Bazlur Rahman Ratan, president of the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, stated that the suspension was a protest against what they termed 'irrational demands' from drivers and transport workers. Beyond the agreed-upon wage increases, owners claimed workers were pushing for additional subsistence allowances and engaging in 'misconduct' by arbitrarily stopping buses to pick up passengers along routes. Rahman indicated that such practices would lead to financial losses, making continued operations impossible under those conditions.

Workers' Stance and Passenger Impact

Transport worker unions, including the Rajshahi district motor workers' union, through acting general secretary Rafiqul Islam Pakhi, criticized the owners' decision, calling the suspension 'disgraceful' given that increased wages had been fixed after multiple rounds of talks. Saidur Rahman, President of the Chapainawabganj Truck, Tank Lorry, and Covered Van Workers Union, denied claims of arbitrary passenger pickups, stating that passengers were only picked up at designated stops.

The suspension has severely impacted thousands of passengers, many of whom were left stranded without warning. With the Durga Puja holidays approaching, buses and trains were already experiencing overcrowding, exacerbating the travel difficulties for commuters. While long-haul Dhaka-bound services remain halted, some local bus services continue to operate on routes like Rajshahi-Dhaka, and Ekta Transport continues services from Chapainawabganj.