Transport workers in Sylhet have called an indefinite strike starting from 6am on Wednesday to press home their five-point demand, including ending the gas crisis.
The strike program across Sylhet will be observed until further notice.
Zakaria Ahmed, president of Sylhet district CNG-run Auto Rickshaw Workers Union, said: “Transport workers in Sylhet are currently facing difficulties due to a severe gas crisis. Despite waiting for hours at various CNG pumps, they are unable to obtain gas.”
“Despite informing the district administrator, local ministers, and MPs of Sylhet for years to solve the gas crisis, no solution has been found,” he further added.
He further said: “Despite submitting memoranda and holding meetings with the administration and various sectors in Sylhet, they have been unsuccessful in finding a solution to this problem. On Sunday, transport workers held a human chain demanding the resolution of all crises and obstacles in CNG loading for all vehicles in Sylhet district.”
Moinul Islam, the president of the Sylhet District Bus-Minibus Workers Union, said: "Sylhet is rich in oil and gas, yet the people of Sylhet are being deprived of these resources. This is discriminatory and a deep conspiracy against Sylhet."
If the problem is not resolved, the entire sector will be paralyzed if necessary, he added.
He mentioned: “The administration's officers are continuously harassing the workers by involving them in various false cases. These two main demands, along with three others, constitute our five demands.”
