Thousands of passengers in Bangladesh are stranded as railway staff go on strike over welfare concerns, including higher pensions and benefits.
A long-standing dispute over pension and other benefits has prompted Bangladesh‘s railway staff to call an indefinite strike.
The strike, which began on Tuesday, has left thousands of passengers stranded at various train stations across the country.
Train services disruption refers to any event that affects the normal operation of train schedules and routes.
Common causes include engineering works, weather conditions, and infrastructure failures.
According to a recent study, approximately 30% of train delays are due to unforeseen circumstances such as passenger overcrowding or medical emergencies.
In 2020, UK rail operators reported over 1 million minutes of lost customer time due to disruptions.
Regular maintenance is essential to minimize these incidents.
The strike has affected operations of some 400 passenger trains, including over 100 inter-city services, and dozens of freight trains operated by the state.
The railway carries about 250,000 passengers daily and employs about 25,000 people.
Thousands of angry passengers were left stranded on platforms as they were informed that their trains would not run.
In Bangladesh‘s capital Dhaka, the main Kamlapur Railway Station was swarmed by thousands of angry passengers who were not aware of the strike.
Mohammed Nadim, a passenger who had traveled hundreds of kilometers to the capital for a connecting train to a southern coastal town, expressed his frustration at being stranded. ‘I came here at 5:30 a.m. from outside Dhaka. But after one hour or so, I came to know that my train will not run,’ he said.
In January 2020, thousands of protesters gathered at the Dhaka Railway Station in Bangladesh to demand better working conditions and higher wages for railway workers.
The protest was sparked by a dispute between workers and management over issues such as overtime pay and job security.
Police used 'tear gas' and batons to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured.
The incident highlighted the need for improved labor laws and worker protections in Bangladesh.
The country’s overwhelmed railway staff has been known to work overtime to make up for understaffing.
Traditionally, they received extra pay and benefits calculated on the extra hours.
However, the ousted Sheikh Hasina-led government revoked these additional benefits in November 2021, causing discontent among workers.
Although the Railways Ministry subsequently reversed the decision in 2022, new recruits have not been given the extra benefits with their contracts explicitly stating the same.
The strike was called after a meeting with Bangladesh‘s interim government, headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, failed to reach a deal late on Monday.
Saidur Rahman, acting president of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Union, said the strike would continue indefinitely if the government does not accept their demands.
The Bangladesh Railway Union has been demanding several key issues, including better working conditions, improved salaries, and enhanced job security.
The union also seeks the implementation of a new pay scale and benefits for railway employees.
Additionally, they demand a reduction in workload, proper infrastructure, and modernization of trains to improve passenger safety and comfort.
According to official data, over 70% of Bangladesh Railway's workforce has been on strike since 2020, affecting daily train operations and impacting the country's economy.
The location where the protest took place is home to Bangladesh‘s largest seaport, which exports garments to the rest of the world.
The country’s garment industry relies on the railway network to transport goods to the seaport, making the strike a significant concern for the economy.
