Strike delays metro rail resumption, new adviser sets one-week deadline for restart

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) failed to restart metro rail service as scheduled on Saturday . However, newly appointed adviser to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, announced plans to resume service within seven days.

On Sunday, he assured that a decision would be made shortly, with efforts focused on getting the metro rail operational within the week.

The authorities kept metro service suspended since 18 July, citing damage due to arson and vandalism.

Earlier, after the formation of the interim government on 11 August, a meeting of the Advisory Council decided to launch the metro rail from 17 August.

However, on 15 August, DMTCL issued a press release stating that it would not be feasible to restart metro rail service on Saturday. The release cited unavoidable circumstances that delayed the necessary technical tests. 

In reality, the service was not resumed due to the ongoing employee strike.

Since 8 August, around seven hundred 10th to 20th grade employees have been observing a complete strike on the six-point demand to eliminate discrimination. 

Concerned DMTCL officials said they failed to resume metro rail service on Saturday due to the employees' strike. Actually, to meet their demand, approval from the DMTCL board of directors is required.

"The newly appointed secretary assumed office on Sunday, along with the new adviser. I'm hopeful that this will lead to a resolution of the issue," the official stated.

Once the employees return to work, a trial run of the metro rail will be conducted. If no issues are found, the service will be reopened to the public, according to DMTCL. 

However, employees have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met in writing.

An employee, speaking anonymously, said, "We've been voicing these demands for a long time, but despite promises, nothing has been implemented. We will continue the strike until our demands are officially addressed in writing."

The employees' demands include: implementing a non-discriminatory pay structure across all grades, with arrears paid according to the National Pay Scale-2015; providing CPF benefits with arrears from the date of joining; revising the organogram to improve the grading of higher posts and align with standards in other state-owned organisations and international metro rail systems; regularising employment after the probationary period; ensuring adequate security and transportation at all metro rail facilities; and addressing autocratic behaviour and discriminatory practices in the workplace.