The leaders of Bangladesh River Vessel Workers' Federation (BRVWF) demanded on Wednesday to the government to allow them to operate passenger launches by maintaining health safety guidelines.
They also urged for their salaries and dues by May 07 for their survival.
They made the demands at a rally in front of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) office in the capital.
Earlier the BRVWF leaders and followers brought out a procession from its central office in the capital at 10:00 am on the day and held demonstration in front of BIWTA office.
The BRVWF or Bangladesh NoujanSramik Federation leaders also said that river vessel workers had been passing a tough time due to lockdown following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
They handed over memorandum to the prime minister and the state minister for shipping through BIWTA authorities for fulfilling their demands within the deadline.
President of BRVWF Md Shah AlamBhuiyan presided over the event which was moderated by its Office Secretary Prokash Dutta.
The BIWTA chairman assured them to convey their appeal to the high-ups of the government for considering to allow (them) to operate launches and make payment of salaries and all dues before the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
Vice-president of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha Khalilur Rahman, its Joint Secretary MdYasin, Organising Secretary of BRVWF Afsar Hossain Chowdhury, General Secretary of Dhaka river port terminal unit of Bangladesh Launch Labour Association Kamal Uddin and General Secretary of Narayanganj river port unit Md Jahangir Hossain were present, among others.
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