Tank-lorry workers to observe work abstention from Oct 23

Tank-lorry workers on Monday said they are going to observe work abstention for an indefinite period from October 23 if their demands are not met within October 22.

Bangladesh Tank-Lorry Workers’ Federation (BTLWF) General Secretary Rezaul Karim Reza came up with the announcement at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city.

“We are the victims of blatant discrimination in the transport sector. By bringing fuel from abroad, the government puts it on our shoulders. We fulfil our national and humanitarian responsibilities by delivering it to the consumer level. Neither the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) nor the ministry honours us,” he added.

Rezaul urged the government to meet their 10-point demand, including stopping police harassment on the roads, providing driving licences for tank-lorry drivers on easy conditions, and implementing an earlier decision about the introduction of accident insurance of Tk 5 lakh for the workers.

BTLWF President Md Shahjahan Bhuiyan also spoke at the event.