A nationwide strike by shipping workers started after seven crew members were killed aboard the MV Al-Bakhera ship on the Meghna River in Chandpur, Bangladesh.
The strike began at midnight on Thursday and has been observed across the country, including in Chandpur. The workers are demanding justice for the victims and Tk 20 lakh compensation for each of their families.
The tragic incident occurred on December 23, 2024, when the MV Al-Bakhera, a ship carrying 720 tonnes of urea, stopped near Monipur Tek Khalpar in the Meghna River.
Seven crew members were killed, and one crew member was seriously injured. The injured crew member, Sukani Jewel, gave important information that led to the arrest of Akash Mondol (also known as Irfan), the main suspect.
Investigations reveal that Irfan, angry about unpaid wages and lack of leave, poisoned the ship’s master and then killed the other crew members to cover up his actions.
After the incident, river vessel workers said they no longer felt safe working on ships, especially on the Chandpur waterway. They are demanding that the perpetrators be caught and punished and that each victim’s family receive Tk 20 lakh as compensation.
The workers announced that they would continue the strike, including stopping all types of cargo vessels, until their demands are met.
The strike was organised by the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation. Shah Alam, the president of the federation, and Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, the general secretary, released a statement calling for the government to take immediate action.
They are asking for the truth behind the killings to be uncovered, the arrest of all those involved, and stronger actions to stop piracy and crime on the waterways.
The workers also expressed their anger over the government’s lack of response to their demands. They stopped all cargo vessels, including those carrying oil, gas, and sand, until the government addressed their demands.
The River Police in Chandpur are investigating the incident. Akash Mondol, the arrested suspect, is currently in police custody for a seven-day remand.
On Saturday night, after discussions between the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation and officials from the Department of Shipping, the strike was called off. The meeting, held at the department’s office in Dhaka, led to an agreement to suspend the strike.
Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, Director General of the Department of Shipping, confirmed that the workers would return to their jobs after the meeting.
He assured that the families of the deceased workers would receive compensation.
Shah Alam, president of the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation, confirmed that the workers had agreed to suspend the strike after the talks, and they would return to work starting that night.
