Waterways workers seek special allowance

Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation has demanded special allocation for waterways workers who have been "risking their lives to ensure transportation and supply of essential goods".

President of the organisation Shah Alam Bhuiyan and general secretary Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam made the call on Tuesday.

In a statement, they said the government has closed all public and private offices from March 26 and most districts have already been put under lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus in the country.

While most of the people are staying home for health safety reasons, waterways workers are risking their lives to ensure transportation and supply of food and other emergency products and to keep the economy alive, it said.

Workers are also facing harassment at different terminals, it added.

While incentives, risk allowance and health insurance have been declared for many sectors, silence of the government and the state about waterways workers is very unfortunate, they said, demanding that the prime minister announce special allowance for them and ensure monthly salary and dues for all workers.

Ashiqul said although operation of passengers and carrier launches have remained suspended, around 1.5 lakh workers are now working across the country for carrying goods.  "Many of them are being harassed by locals and police when they go to terminals, yet they are working for the country. The government did not even thank them for their services, let alone any financial support," he told The Daily Star yesterday.