Railway staffs reject meeting, reaffirm to shutdown operations from midnight

Bangladesh Railway's running staff have turned down a meeting proposed by the Ministry of Railways on Monday to discuss their demands, confirming that they will begin a work stoppage starting midnight Tuesday.  

Md Mojibur Rahman, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Association, stated that they declined the meeting because they believed it would fail to address their concerns and only result in further delays. As a result, the planned strike will proceed as announced.  

The workers are demanding that their running allowances, which are earned during train operations, be included in their basic salaries for the calculation of pensions and gratuities. However, a directive issued by the Ministry of Finance on January 23 stipulated that these allowances would only apply to active train duties and would not exceed the basic salary.  

This directive has caused significant dissatisfaction among the staff, who argue that it fails to account for their demanding workloads, particularly during extended shifts.  

The Ministry of Railways expressed regret over the staff�s decision to reject dialogue, emphasizing that resolving such issues requires open communication. Ministry officials explained that they are limited by the directives of the Ministry of Finance but remain committed to finding a solution. A source from the ministry warned that strict measures might be considered if the strike disrupts public services.  

The planned strike is expected to halt train operations nationwide, as running staff play an essential role in keeping the railway system functional. The operational wing of the railway has stated that the work stoppage will have a severe impact on passenger services across the country.  

This dispute has been ongoing since the staff extended a previous deadline from December 31 to January 28 for their demands to be addressed. Despite reassurances, they claim that no tangible progress has been made, prompting their decision to move forward with the strike.  

The Ministry of Railways issued a public notice on Monday evening urging the running staff to reconsider their decision, citing the potential inconvenience to passengers. The notice highlighted measures already taken to address their concerns, including an increase in the running allowance from 75% to 100% and relaxed conditions for eligibility for mileage allowances.  

The ministry also stated that it had forwarded the workers� demands to the Ministry of Finance for approval and reiterated its commitment to resolving outstanding issues. However, the workers� association has remained firm in their decision, with Mojibur Rahman confirming that the strike will continue as planned.