DHAKA, Oct 9, 2018 (BSS) – Bangladesh Goods Transport Owners Workers
United Association (BGTOWUA) leaders called off the countrywide strike after
successful discussion with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his office here
today.
“Leaders of transport workers decided to call off the strike after a
successful meeting with me” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told BSS over
phone after the meeting.
He said the transport leaders placed their seven-point demand, including
bringing changes to the Road Transport Act-2018 during the meeting.
“I assured the leaders that I will oversee police related issues
regarding the matter,” he said.
He said a 33-member delegation of Bangladesh Goods Transport
Owners Workers United Association (BGTOWUA) led by Haji Mokbul Ahmed,
convener Talukder M Monir, joint convener and member secretary Tajul Islam
met the minister.
Besides, Acting Inspector General of Police M Moklesur Rahman and Deputy
Inspector General of Highway Police Atiqul Islam were present at the meeting.
On September 19, the parliament passed the much-anticipated Road
Transport Act-2018 amid criticism over lenient punishments for deaths caused
by reckless driving.
According to the new law, if anybody causes an accident by reckless and
negligent driving, and kills or injures someone seriously, he would face a
maximum five years’ imprisonment or a fine of Taka 5 lakh or both.
However, if it is found that a driver has deliberately killed anyone or
not averted a killing in a road accident, the incident will fall under either
section 302 (murder) or 304 (culpable homicide) of the Penal Code, the law
minister earlier said explaining the act.
The maximum punishment under section 302 of the Penal Code is the death
penalty while it is life imprisonment under section 304.
Later, Goods Transport Owners Workers United Association called
countrywide strike aimed at pressing home their seven-point demand, including
bringing changes to the Road Transport Act-2018.