Passengers suffered immensely yesterday as water transport workers enforced an indefinite work abstention to press home their 10-point demand, including pay hike.
Due to the strike that started early yesterday, operation of launch was suspended on almost all the waterways across the country.
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"No launches have left Sadarghat Launch Terminal from this [yesterday] morning. Some people came to the terminal, but most had to return," said Alamgir Kabir, joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
While visiting the area in the morning, the terminal was found almost empty. Only a few passengers were seen to find out the alternative mode of transport.
Fuljan Begum, who was waiting for a Chandpur-bound launch, said, "I was not aware of the strike. I along with my eight-year-old girl came here around 8:00am. Then, I learnt that launch operation was suspended. Now, I'm thinking of bus journey."
Fruit trader Sirajul Islam regularly travels by launch to the capital from Munshiganj. He buys fruits from the capital's Badamtoli wholesale market and then returns to Munshiganj for selling them.
"Like other days, I bought fruits from Badamtoli. Then, I came to Sadarghat Launch Terminal. But I found that no launches would ply. Now, I'm in trouble with carrying my goods," said Sirajul.
The scenario was the same at other launch terminals.
No launches left Barishal terminal since the work abstention was enforced.
Mohammad Khakon, from Pirojpur, was seen waiting at the terminal for hours with the hope to catch a water transport to travel to Bhola.
Sheikh Imam Ali, a Laxmipur-bound passenger, said, "I have been waiting here for two hours. But I could not find a launch."
Contacted, BIWTA's inspector in Barishal said no launches left Barishal terminal since yesterday morning.
In Chandpur, many passengers learnt about the strike when they reached the launch terminal.
On November 15, general workers under the banner of Noujan Sramik Sangram Parishad announced the work abstention at a meeting in the capital. They also discussed their 10-point demand there.
Their other demands include Tk 10 lakh in compensation in case of a worker's death while on duty -- natural or accidental; issuance of "landing pass" for India-bound workers and others.
[Our Barishal correspondent contributed to this report.]
