CNG-run auto drivers’ strike from Wednesday

DHAKA: Drivers of CNG-run auto-rickshaws called for an indefinite strike from Wednesday morning to press home their 10-point demand including implement of government fixed charge.

Dhaka City Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Union general secretary confirmed about the strike to banglanews.

He said, “Auto-rickshaw owners are charging Tk 1000 to 1400 as opposed to Tk 600.

In response to query, he said BRTA called us to discuss about our demands. We demanded to the authority to implement the decision of 2011.

As per the decision taken by authorities concerned in 2011, route permit and license will be cancelled of the auto-rickshaw which owners collect extra fee from drivers ignoring the government-fixed rate.

On the other hand, two CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners organizations called off their 48-hour strike as the discussion with the government is successful.

 Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-rickshaw Owners Association general secretary ATM Nazmul Hasan told banglanews, “The strike was called off as they got assurance to meet-up their 10-point demands within two months.”

Earlier on July 6, the association called strike for July 11 and 12 to meet their 10-point demands, including increase of deposit money and fare of CNG auto rickshaws.

President of the association Alhaj Barkat Ullah Bhulu said, “We will observe 48-hour strike if the government does not come forward to implement our demands by July 10. We will announce tougher programme if our demands are not met.”

In response to a query, he said, “We are taking Tk 700 from the CNG drivers though the government fixed Tk 600. We have informed the matter to the government.”

They presented their 10-point demands, including fixing Tk 850 as daily deposit in stead of Tk 600, hiking miter fare and stopping the process of hiking CNG price.

BDST: 0202 HRS, JUL 11, 2012

Edited by:
Rubaiat Saky, Newsroom Editor