Bangladesh Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicle Transport Workers Federation (BALTWF) has demanded the implementation of law to issue formal appointment letters by the transport owners to drivers and other workers of the auto-rickshaws and light vehicles.

Addressing  a discussion meeting at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), on  Thursday on the problems in transport sector and their solutions, the leaders of the transport workers federation said that unless and until the formal appointment letters are provided to the drivers and other workers in the sector, it will not be possible to ensure disciplines in the entire sector.

Minister for Labour and Employment Nazrul Islam Chowdhury also addressed the event as the chief guest, organised by the BALTWF to commemorate the Historic May Day.
The state minister said that recommendations of the BALTWF in regard to the solutions to the problems of the auto-rickshaw drivers and light vehicle transport workers will be conveyed to the government’s concerned authorities so that necessary actions could be taken to address the issue.

With BALTWF president Abul Hossain in the chair, the event was also addressed by Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Executive Director Syed Sultan Ahmed, BALTWF advisor Mostafa Alamgir Ratan, and general secretary Golam Faruk. The meeting was moderated by the central senior vice-president of the BALTWF Azizul Haque Salim.

Golam Faruk presented a keynote paper where he focused on 10-point demands of the BALTWF.

The 10-point demands include amendment to Section 21 of Road Transport Act 2018, implementation of the government decision to build separate lanes and dividers for light vehicles on highways to prevent road accidents, and eradicating all kinds of corruption, harassment and irregularities at BRTA regarding issuing licenses to drivers.

Ensuring parking facilities for auto-rickshaws and light vehicles at important places in the city and elsewhere for the convenience of drivers and passengers, taking action against illegal toll collection by police and other agencies, introduction of rationing system for drivers and transport workers to provide essential commodities at low cost, ensuring membership to the Board of Trustees and Road Safety Council and allocating 5000 auto-rickshaws in Dhaka city and 4000 in Chittagong city to drivers are also among the demands.