Dhaka:
Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation is holding a 48-hour transport strike across the country (October 28 and 29) with 8-point demands including amendments to some sections of the Road Transport Act. The road communication system of the country has come to a standstill.
Awami League General Secretary Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said in response to a question from reporters at Setu Bhaban on Sunday (October 28) that it is not possible to accept the demands of workers by changing the Road Transport Act at this moment.
Calling upon the transport workers to call off the strike, he said, "I want to say at this moment, call off the strike, there is no benefit in making people suffer."
Quader said, there is no chance to change the law at the moment. I can't change it right now. They will have to wait till the next Parliament.
Road Transport Minister said, they have to wait. If there is any justification in this, it will be considered later through discussion.
The 8-point demands of the transport workers are- to make all cases of road accidents bailable, to cancel the provision of Tk 5 lakh fine for drivers in accidents, to make the educational qualification of drivers up to class V instead of class VIII, to keep workers' representatives in the investigation committee of Section 302 cases, to stop police harassment, to fine on the way scale. Reduction and abolition of penalty and mandatory attestation of labor federation representative during vehicle registration.
What Kader said about Oikya Front
Quader also spoke about the ongoing political situation in the country after meeting with the European Union ambassador at Setu Bhaban.
He said that it is not possible to accept the seven-point demands raised by Kamal Hossain about the Jatiya Oikya Front election along with BNP.
'Eikya Front is complaining, the opposition will be a little critical. The job of the opposition is to criticize. They have made seven point demands. At this moment, to accept the seven points, the constitution must be changed. Which is not possible in any case
'Eikya Front is complaining, the opposition will be a little critical. The job of the opposition is to criticize. They have made seven point demands. At the moment, if the seven points are to be accepted, the constitution must be changed. Which is not possible in any case.
"Therefore, if they strike and remain stubborn about this demand, then an atmosphere of instability may be created."
Claiming that there is a 'peaceful electoral environment' in the country, Awami League General Secretary said that what they need is an impartial Election Commission. There is no opportunity to reconstitute the Election Commission.
