Tension at Sayedabad bus terminal

Sayedabad bus terminal became busy as usual and all buses left it on schedule yesterday, a day after a group of transport workers enforced a 10-hour bus strike there.

Still, there was tension between the workers as their two feuding associations -- Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union and Dhaka Zila Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union -- were yet to reach any consensus.

The two workers' bodies have been fighting over collection of “illegal toll” from buses for the last couple of years.

The two sides clashed on Monday, and the next morning, the Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union enforced the strike, snapping Dhaka's road communications with 35 districts through the terminal.

After around 10 hours of stalemate, the group withdrew the strike on assurance that ministers concerned and leaders of the transport sector would resolve the feud within three days.

Visiting the terminal yesterday, this correspondent talked to many workers who were worried about further strikes in upcoming days.

“We don't know what will happen next. We're just looking forward to our leaders,” said Sohrab Mia, a helper of a bus.

The strike on Tuesday also hit the intercity bus services and their workers, apart from the commuters and the long-route travelers.

 “I earned only Tk 150 yesterday [Tuesday] due to the strike. Otherwise, my daily income is around Tk 350,” said Kalam Hossain, a conductor of a Chittagong Road-Mohammadpur route bus. 

Karam Ali of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union said they were taking preparations for holding a meeting to resolve the crisis.

Contacted, Syed Nurul Islam, deputy commissioner of police (Wari division), who is supposed  to be present at the planned meeting, said its schedule was yet to be decided.  “It [meeting] may take place today or tomorrow,” he said.