Govt urges railway running staffs to call off strike

The Ministry of Railways has called on Bangladesh Railway's running staff to withdraw their planned work stoppage, which is scheduled to begin on January 28.

In a press release issued Monday evening (January 27), the ministry emphasized its dedication to addressing the demands of railway officials and employees and ensuring smooth rail operations.  

According to the press release, the proposed strike by the running staff could lead to a nationwide disruption of train services, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. The ministry assured that it has already forwarded the staff�s demands to the Ministry of Finance and is actively engaged in bilateral discussions to resolve the matter.  

Notable progress has been made in addressing the staff�s demands, including increasing the running allowance from 75% to 100% and relaxing the conditions for mileage allowance eligibility. The previously required minimum of 8 hours of service and 100 miles of travel has also been eased.  

The Ministry of Railways reiterated its commitment to meeting the running staff's remaining demands through continuous dialogue and coordination with the Ministry of Finance. It urged the staff to prioritize public convenience and resume normal rail operations.  

The press release further expressed hope that the running staff would withdraw their planned strike and work collaboratively to resolve outstanding issues through peaceful discussions, thereby preventing unnecessary disruptions to the railway system and sparing passengers from hardship.