The road transport owners and workers have demanded permission for long-haul transportation of people and goods across the country in compliance with the health rules.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation sported the demand along with four other points and threatened to stage sits-in after Eid-ul-Fitr at all the bus and truck terminals in the country from 10 am to 12 noon, if their demands are not met.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation’s President Shajahan Khan read out the demands of transporters at a press conference, jointly organised by Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, at Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Saturday.
Shajahan said the experts in lockdown don’t understand woes of workers who are going to bed hungry in this pandemic period. That is why people are crowding on the ferry, braving the health risks.
“We represent the real people of the transport sector. Government should take advice from us instead of those experts in lockdown. Only long-distance vehicles are just barred from moving when everything is open. Questions have been raised about how realistic this decision is,” he said.
People are crossing on ferries with the risk of coronavirus infections. As the launch services were closed, 26 people were killed when a speedboat overturned, he added.
So, they do not think that the purpose will be achieved by stopping long-haul vehicles and allowing the local transports to operate, he further said.
They demanded giving opportunity to operate intercity transportation of people and goods, providing financial assistance and food aid to unemployed transport workers.
They also demanded a stimulus package of Tk 5,000 crore for transport repair, transport workers' salaries, allowances and Eid bonuses at nominal interest.
The transporters urged the authorities concerned to operate Open Market Sale of rice at bus and truck terminals across the country at rate of Tk 10/kg before and after Eid for transport workers.
They called for temporary waiver of interest for the prospective investors in the transport sector till December 31.
They also sought removal of defaulter tags from the defaulted borrowers once they make 2 per cent down payment.
Their joint statement demanded exemption of vehicle tax-token, route permit fee, income tax, driving license fee till December 31 due to lockdown.
