Nationwide 72-Hour Transport Strike from August 12 Over 8 Demands

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association has announced a 72-hour nationwide transport strike starting from August 12, if their eight key demands are not met. These demands include extending the economic lifespan of commercial vehicles to 30 years, amending bail-related sections of the Road Transport Act, and stopping the dumping of vehicles until then. The announcement came during a divisional meeting in Chattogram, where transport leaders also warned of further escalation if the government fails to comply.

Announcement of the Strike

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association declared that a countrywide 72-hour transport strike will begin on August 12 at 6:00 AM unless the government fulfills their eight-point demands.

One of their primary demands is to extend the economic lifespan of commercial vehicles from the current limit to 30 years.

The announcement was made on August 7 at a divisional meeting held at Hotel Saikat, Station Road, Chattogram. The meeting was organized by the Greater Chattogram Goods and Passenger Transport Owners’ Federation and the Chattogram Divisional Committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation. The program was aimed at pushing for the implementation of demands made by the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners-Workers Coordination Council.

Submission of Demands

Central President Kofil Uddin Ahmed informed that the eight-point demand list has already been submitted to the Communication Adviser. He added that the adviser had given assurance to fulfill two of the demands.

Quote in Bangla:
“আমরা সরকারকে জানিয়ে দিয়েছি—সব দাবি মানতে হবে। ১১ আগস্ট সন্ধ্যা ৬টার মধ্যে দাবি না মানলে ১২ থেকে ১৫ আগস্ট পর্যন্ত আমরা ধর্মঘট পালন করব।”
Translation:
“We have informed the government that all demands must be met. If the demands are not met by 6 PM on August 11, we will observe a strike from August 12 to 15.”

Criticism of the Road Transport Act

Kofil Uddin Ahmed strongly criticized sections 98 and 105 of the Road Transport Act, 2018.

These sections state that a driver involved in an accident will not get bail and can face a maximum sentence of five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh.

“দুর্ঘটনার মামলা আদালতে চলতে পারে, আদালত শাস্তি দিতে পারে। কিন্তু জামিন পাওয়া একটি সাংবিধানিক অধিকার, যা আদালত নির্ধারণ করবে। আইন করে এটি আটকে দেওয়া উচিত নয়। তাই সংশ্লিষ্ট ধারাগুলো সংশোধন করতে হবে।”
Translation:
“Accident cases can be tried in court, and the court can issue punishment. But getting bail is a constitutional right, and it should be decided by the court. This should not be blocked by law. Therefore, these sections must be amended.”

Vehicle Lifespan Issue

Regarding the 20-year limit for vehicle usage, Ahmed pointed out that many vehicles are being removed from the roads through dumping, which could affect almost 80% of vehicles currently in operation.

“আমাদের বক্তব্য হলো—যে গাড়ির ফিটনেস আছে, তাকে চলতে দিতে হবে। যদি ফিটনেস না থাকে, তা হলে সাময়িকভাবে স্থগিত করুন। ৮৩ বছর বয়সী একজন মানুষ যদি দেশের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা হিসেবে রাষ্ট্র পরিচালনা করতে পারেন, তা হলে ২০ বছরের একটি গাড়িকে মৃত্যুদণ্ড দেওয়া হচ্ছে কেন?”

Translation:
“Our point is that if a vehicle has fitness, it should be allowed to run. If it doesn’t, it should be temporarily suspended. If an 83-year-old person can run the country as Chief Adviser, then why are we giving a death sentence to a 20-year-old vehicle?”

The 8 Main Demands

The transport leaders highlighted the following eight demands:

Amend bail-related sections of the Road Transport Act.
Extend the lifespan of commercial vehicles to 30 years and stop dumping until then.
Withdraw the decision to increase advance income tax on commercial vehicles.
Allow import of 12-year-old reconditioned vehicles.
Return accident-damaged vehicles to owners within 72 hours.
Form a scrap policy for expired vehicles.
Create separate lanes for three-wheelers and illegal light vehicles on highways.
Speed up the process of issuing and renewing driving licenses, along with implementing the existing 12-point demand of the Workers’ Federation.