ছবি: Photo: Collected
Dhaka’s metro rail services face potential disruption as employees of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) have warned of a complete shutdown starting Friday, February 21. The warning comes as workers demand the formulation of a comprehensive employment regulation, a promise they claim has been left unfulfilled for months.
In an official statement, DMTCL acknowledged the concerns raised by its workforce, emphasizing that if the employment regulation is not finalized within the next three working days—by February 20—metro rail services will be halted indefinitely. The company stated that any inconvenience faced by Dhaka’s commuters would be solely the responsibility of the authorities for failing to implement the required employment policies.
The controversy dates back to September 12, when Transport Advisor Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan instructed the formulation of a self-sufficient employment regulation. The decision was reinforced during DMTCL’s 60th board meeting, where a directive was issued to prepare the regulation within 60 days and submit it to the transport division. However, despite the lapse of over five months, no regulation has been officially implemented, raising concerns over its delay. Employees allege that the delay is due to undisclosed reasons, sparking frustration and leading to a mass exodus of skilled personnel from the organization.
Over 200 highly trained domestic and foreign officials and employees have already resigned, citing uncertainty regarding their employment status. This large-scale resignation has raised alarms about the sustainability of metro rail operations, as a lack of skilled workforce may lead to operational inefficiencies and potential service disruptions.
On February 13, employees reiterated their demand for immediate action on the employment regulation, prompting DMTCL's top management to engage in extensive discussions on the draft framework. According to sources, revisions are being made, and the authorities have assured employees that the board will soon convene to finalize and approve the regulation.
In response to the situation, DMTCL’s Managing Director, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, stated that efforts are underway to resolve the issue promptly. He assured that discussions regarding the employment framework are progressing and that a resolution is expected soon to prevent any disruption in metro rail services.
As tensions rise, Dhaka’s metro rail commuters remain uncertain about the future of their daily transport service. Authorities now face the challenge of addressing the workforce's concerns while ensuring that metro rail operations remain uninterrupted.
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