Rail communications with the capital remained suspended for an hour yesterday as the gatekeepers of level crossings from Tongi to Narayanganj went on a strike in protest at the nonpayment of overdue wages.
Trains were halted at different places during the strike from 5:20pm to 6:20pm. Jamuna and Titas trains remained stuck at the Karwan Bazar crossing.
The crossing’s gatekeeper, Shahin, said gatekeepers employed on temporary basis went to the railway office at Kamalapur to demand wages and allowances due since February.
“Those who went there, including myself, were made permanent but the authorities are still recruiting for the posts.”
Shahin said the group comprising gatekeepers of 49 crossings met railway officials, who paid no heed to the demand.
“We were not given any assurance regarding the payment either, and that is why we were forced to go on strike.”
But Railways Minister Md Mazibul Hoque told the Dhaka Tribune the gatekeepers had been assured that they would receive their dues soon.
“Also, because of some legal obligations, we cannot make their jobs permanent,” he said.
The minister said train services were disrupted for some 20 minutes and did not have a big impact on the whole system.
A gatekeeper makes Tk4,450 a month and a total of 226 gatekeepers work at crossings from Tongi to Narayanganj.
Passengers suffered because of yesterday’s strike, with many seen waiting at Kamalapur Railway Station to board trains.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
