River transport workers called off their countrywide strike on Monday afternoon following an assurance that their 10-point demand will be fulfilled soon.

The announcement was made following a meeting of ship owners and workers' organisations with State Minister for Labour and Employment Mannujan Sufian.

Speaking on the occasion, Mannujan Sufian said, “Owners and workers have put forward their demands. We have assured the workers that we will cooperate with that. We are now looking into their demands and problems.

“A committee is being formed to settle these demands together with the Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Labour and owners and workers. All problems will be solved within a month. I’ve also asked the owners to pay workers interim allowance for this one month.”

In the meeting, central President of Bangladesh Naujan Sramik Federation Shah Alam announced the withdrawal of strike.

“We had a cordial meeting. They’ve assured us of setting up a committee within a month to determine the wage structure of the workers and resolve other issues including withdrawal of cases.”

Sufferings of the commuters triggered high as the countrywide indefinite water transport strike entered into the second day on Monday.

During the strike, Sadarghat lost its usual business. A number of passengers arrived at the terminal, but could not reach their destination. Some of them waited for hours and finally returned. Women and children suffered the most.

Bangladesh Naujan Sramik Sangram Parishad enforced the

strike to press home their 10-point demand.

The demands include raising minimum monthly wage to Tk 20,000 from Tk 7,750, along with food and marine allowance, issuance of appointment letter and an identity card, setting up of a contributory provident and a welfare fund and Tk 10 lakh compensation for accidents and deaths while carrying out duties.