Home ›› 24 Jun 2022 ›› Special Supplement
Over 500 staff members of 87 launches running on the Padma River are concerned about losing their jobs after the opening of the much-awaited Padma Bridge.
Many of them, including masters, engine drivers, and ticket sellers, have spent their entire youth in their professions. Many are between 50 and 60 years old, and their chances of switching to a new profession are slim.
Md Miraz Khan has been working as the master of the vessel ML Sathi, which runs on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route, for 29 years.
“I was born in a village of Munshiganj along the Padma River. Like my ancestors, I chose a profession involving river transport early in life. But now I am worried the launch owner may terminate me any moment,” he told The Business Post.
He earns Tk 20,000 per month and runs a seven-member family. He said he can maintain his family well with this amount like other low-income people.
“Not only launch workers but also owners are at risk. What will they do if they cannot operate vessels?” he questioned.
Abul Hossain is the engine driver of ML Sathi having 20 years of experience in working in passenger vessels. He has worked on the Daulatdia-Paturia and Dhaka-Munshiganj routes.
He said, “We did not get even a single penny in assistance from launch owners when we were facing a financial crisis amid the Covid-19 pandemic. I had to borrow money to pay Tk 2,000 in monthly house rent.”
“I cannot do any other work If I become jobless because I do not have the required skills. Joblessness will put launch staff in serious trouble,” he added.
A launch usually has six to seven staff members. Amid the looming crisis, they have demanded rehabilitation measures from the government.
Md Shafiqul Islam, director of the Padma bridge project, told The Business Post the project documents mention nothing about rehabilitating the people who would lose their jobs.
“We have rehabilitated some people whose land the government acquired for the project,” he added.
Vessel owners say the number of small launch routes is gradually decreasing due to the navigability crisis, road connectivity, and the building of new bridges in riverside areas. As a result, many vessels have been dismantled while no one wants to make fresh investments in small vessels.
Monir Uddin Dhali, owner of ML Seven Star and ML Amin Uddin, told The Business Post launch owners would suffer the most when the Padma Bridge would be opened.
“They do not have new routes to operate vessels. We heard a new route will open between Gaibandha and Jamalpur, but there are not enough passengers.
“Operating on the route will thus not be commercially viable for such a large number of vessels. Launch owners will lose a lot of money,” he added.
Sheikh Badsha Mia, owner of ML Sutarpara, said ferry services on the Padma River were launched about 30 years ago.
“Launch owners earn their livelihoods by ferrying passengers across the river. Now they do not know what they will do once the bridge is opened.”
According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, a launch can carry 140 passengers during the daytime and 92 at night on the Padma River. But there are allegations that vessels carry over 200 passengers both in the daytime and at night.
A launch can currently run three to four trips daily with a rotation system on the Padma River.
Abdur Rahman has been selling ayurvedic products on launches for the last 20 years. He works for 14 hours daily and earns Tk 600-800.
“I took sales training for 2 years before starting this profession. My trainer is also involved in this,” he said.
He said he can easily attract customers, who mostly belong to low-income groups, with his sales pitch. “Now I cannot even think of doing any other type of work. I am worried.”
There are around 500 hawkers like Rahman who sell different products on board.
