Editorial
Wild cat strike by transport workers
Stop taking public hostage
WHAT the transport owners under the banner of a local transport owner and worker association did by way of halting operations between the port city and some southern districts including Cox's Bazaar is not unique. All too often the public have been held hostage to service providers, including those running private transport business, as a result of wild cat strikes. The recent one was done as a protest against what the association termed as extortion by an office bearer of Cox's Bazaar unit of the ruling party.
The reason for the strike is very amazing. Reportedly, the owner of a transport company was asked by the local AL leader, who also happens to be the chairman of the union where the accident occurred, to pay up a certain amount to settle a hit and run case out of court, which occurred on Cox's Bazaar Ramu road, and allegedly threatened the owners with dire consequences if they failed to pay up.
While we make no value judgment on the matter of the alleged extortion, which we hope the ruling party as well as the law enforcing agencies will take cognizance of, we find the action of the bus owners and workers quite preposterous. Their action put thousands of travellers in the greater district of Chittagong, including several thousand tourists who were left high and dry in Cox's Bazaar, in great distress.
This is but another example of utter disregard for public comfort and safety, which the government must address seriously. Almost everyday we hear of instances of road blocks being put up as mark of protest by factory workers for the death of a colleague in a road accident, or non-payment of dues by the factory owner, or of long tailbacks running into miles as a result of barricades put up by students of a college or university to ventilate their anger. While one has the right to feel aggrieved at the death of a colleague or for going without pay for months, why should those that have nothing to do with their condition be made to undergo the hardship which their ill thought of action causes? And very often the situation is further aggravated due to unnecessary interference by party men seeking to make some hay out of the situation.
We would like to underscore to all concerned, including service providers, the need to keep public interest above all else and ask the public office holders to refrain from actions that complicate issues rather than solve them.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
India’s ‘push-in’ strategy violates international law
11 hour(s) ago
Editorial
Why build roads through a reserved forest?
20 June 2026, 13:00 PM
Editorial
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
19 June 2026, 19:07 PM
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Comments