Bangladesh Railway Running Staff Unity Council (which includes locomotive masters, guards, and ticket checkers) has set a deadline of January 27 for the government to meet their demands for pensions and allowances, including mileage benefits.
The council has been protesting for three years, demanding that the mileage allowance for running staff (train operators, assistant drivers, guards, and ticket checkers) be reinstated. These allowances, known as “mileage,” are given when staff are required to work beyond their normal rest periods.
Afzal Hossain, General Secretary of the Railway Guards Council, stated that despite continuous negotiations, no decision has been made by the Railway authorities, prompting the workers to announce an indefinite strike starting from midnight on January 28. They have already refused to attend a scheduled meeting on January 27, fearing that authorities would only ask for more time without addressing their demands.
Liberty News’ railway correspondent reports that the protest centers around a November 2021 finance ministry letter that limited the mileage benefit and excluded certain allowances from pensions. The railway staff are also demanding the removal of discriminatory clauses for newly appointed workers and an adjustment to the pension rules.
LND/BG
