Launch Owners Reluctant to Operate Vessels

The launch owners announced today that they will not operate their vessels in the wake of a nationwide public bus and truck strike against fuel price hikes.

"We had a meeting on Friday about raising fare. We also talked to the BIWTA chairman over the phone. He told us that there will be a meeting with us at 12:30 pm today over the issue. But he has not contacted us yet," said Bangladesh Inland Water Passenger Carrier Association's (BIWPCA) Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Patwary.

"Now the launch owners are reluctant to run the vessels. However, the organization has not declared any program or strike," he added.

Following a meeting on Friday, BIWPCA Vice President Badiuzzaman Badal said that launches that travel fewer than 100 km will charge customers an additional Tk 20, and following distances will be charged an additional Tk 10.

On Wednesday, the government raised fuel and kerosene rates by Tk 15 to Tk 80 per litre, blaming a turbulent global crude oil market. Owners and workers in the transportation industry responded by calling a nationwide indefinite strike, demanding either a fare increase or a reversal of the raise.