Dhaka: The nationwide 72-hour transport strike, which was set to commence on August 12, has been unanimously withdrawn today following the initiative of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry. The decision emerged from a meeting involving the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, organized by the Road Transport and Highways Division at Bidyut Bhaban on Abdul Gani Road.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting concluded with an agreement to draft amendments to the Road Transport Act, 2018. This process is expected to be completed within a maximum of 60 days, involving an inter-ministerial meeting and consultations with various stakeholders. Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that transport owners and workers do not incur losses when outdated vehicles are phased out.
Additionally, the Road Transport Adviser called on the health ministry to establish a specialized hospital for treating transport workers injured in road accidents. He also highlighted plans to implement the ‘Road Transport Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 2025′ in accordance with its established rules.
The event, chaired by Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, featured speeches from several key figures, including Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr. Sheikh Mainuddin, Senior Secretary of the Road Division Ehsanul Huq, and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association Saiful Alam.
It is noteworthy that the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association had previously threatened to initiate the 72-hour nationwide transport strike if their eight-point demands were not satisfied.