'Review wage for water transport workers'

4 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Leaders of Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation yesterday demanded review of their recently announced new wage structure. They placed the demand at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity. The leaders of the water transport workers said the new wage structure is not consistent with either the national pay scale or the current market prices of essentials. It is quite difficult to lead a life with this salary, they added. Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, general secretary of the federation, said such poor wage structure would cause worker crisis and a deadlock situation in the water transport sector. He sought Prime Minister's involvement in this regard saying, “ The government should take necessary measures to review the wage structure to safeguard the lives of water transport workers.” Shah Alam, the federation vice chairman, alleged that about 50 workers, affiliated with the federation, are out of work for complying with the strike on May 8. He sought government's intervention in this regard. He also demanded withdrawal of all cases filed with different police stations across the country in connection with the water transport strike observed from May 8 to 15, this year. Vice president Zinnat Ali and joint general secretary Deen Mohammad of the federation and Lighterage Sramik Union vice president Abdur Rahim were present at the press conference.