Savar transport workers demand 8-hour shift

Transport drivers and workers yesterday demanded eight-hour working time per day, in accordance with the labour law, to reduce road accidents.

Speaking at a discussion at Savar Model Police Station, they said road accidents will be reduced at least by half if drivers and helpers get proper rest.

However, transport owners said it is not possible for the workers to work only eight hours in Bangladesh.

Brac's Road Safety Programme and Advocacy for Social Change organised the discussion.

Abbas Ali, president of Ananda Super Minibus Malik Samity, said, “The transport sector in the country is volatile, and so the workers cannot have limited working hours.”     

Regarding licences, some drivers admitted that there are many of them driving vehicles on the Dhaka-Aricha highway without licenses, and blamed Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for it.

Responding to the drivers, Md Mohsin Hosen, assistant director (engineering) at BRTA, said they cannot give drivers licenses for driving heavy vehicles immediately.

“There are rules. First you have to get a license for driving light vehicles for a couple of years and work your way up from there,” he said.      

Habibur Rahman, superintendent of police, Dhaka district was the chief guest, and Kazi Ashraful Azim, additional superintendent of police, and Md Mohsin Hosen were special guests.

Brac officials and Roads and Highways Department representatives were also present.