River vessel workers call off strike
They withdrew the strike on the assurance of the Labour and Employment minister
The Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union and three other organisations on Wednesday called off their countrywide strike.
They made the declaration during a meeting with the State Minister of Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian at her office around 9pm.
The three other organisations are Bangladesh Nou Sramik League, Bangladesh Cargo Trawler Bulkhead Sramik Union and Bulkhead Sramik Union.
The lighterage union's President Hazi Sheikh Mohammad Isa Mia said "A fruitful discussion was held during the meeting with Monnujan Sufian. We took the decision following the assurance that all our demands including food allowance will be gradually fulfilled.
Earlier on Tuesday, the four organisations called a countrywide strike to press home 15 demands including increasing wages and allowances, stopping extortion and criminal activities on river routes.