Maritime workers in Patuakhali and Narayanganj have declared an indefinite strike, demanding justice for the killing of seven crew members aboard the vessel MV Al Bakhera in the Meghna River.
They are also calling for fair compensation, medical care for the injured, and measures to prevent violence, extortion, and crime on waterways.
The strike, which began at midnight on Thursday, has halted cargo unloading activities at Payra Port, both at its outer and inner anchorage points. Azizur Rahman, Deputy Director of Payra Port Traffic Division, confirmed the suspension of operations.
In Narayanganj, maritime workers anchored their vessels along the Shitalakshya River and joined the strike. On Friday morning, the Bangladesh Ship Workers' Federation staged a protest and human chain demonstration in Nitaiganj.
Sabuj Sikder Master, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Ship Workers' Federation, criticized the heinous attack allegedly orchestrated by Akash Mandal alias Irfan, aboard MV Al Bakhera. He expressed doubts that such an act could have been carried out by one individual alone. The federation demands a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and identify all involved, safety measures for thousands of cargo vessels and their workers nationwide, compensation of Tk 20 lakh per victim for the deceased and injured, and implementation of wage payments and arrears in line with official gazettes.
Following the brutal killings, maritime workers on the Chandpur route have expressed a deep sense of insecurity and workers warned that if the perpetrators are not arrested by tomorrow, launch workers will join the ongoing strike. They also emphasized that their strike will continue until their demands are met, particularly regarding justice and workplace safety.
