Train operations have resumed across the country after a 26-hour snap as the railway’s running staff have called off their strike.
It was withdrawn after labour leaders met with Railway Adviser Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday (January 28) on assurances that the workers’ demands would be addressed promptly through the Ministry of Finance.
“We do not want to cause public suffering. Apologies for the inconvenience, and we urge all workers to return to work,” Bangladesh Railway’s Running Staff and Workers’ Union General Secretary Md Mojibur Rahman announced around 2:30am.
Train services began to normalise from 6am, starting with services from Rajshahi. The first trains to depart included the Sagar Dadi Express at 6:05am, followed by the Madhumoti and Banalata Express.
Train services also resumed from other key stations like Rangpur, Bogura and Sylhet, with tickets being sold as per the regular schedule, albeit with minor delays.
Although some passengers were unaware of the strike’s resolution, leading to empty seats on morning trains, the resumption of services brought relief to commuters.
Earlier, the staff members, including loco masters, assistant loco masters, TTEs, and train guards, had threatened to go on strike, pressing for demands that include adding the running allowance to their basic salary for calculating pension and gratuity.
