Rajshahi Correspondent:

Bus services between Rajshahi and Dhaka were suspended from 9pm on Sunday after drivers, supervisors, and assistants demanded higher wages, causing inconvenience for passengers.

Ekota Transport buses, however, continued operations.

Workers say current wages are low. National Travels pays drivers Tk 1,100 per trip, supervisors Tk 500, and driver assistants Tk 400, while Desh Travels pays drivers Tk 1,200. Staff is demanding an increase to Tk 2,000 per trip.

Ali Hossain, a driver for National Travels, said: “We have been receiving Tk 1,100 for 10 years. The owners promised a raise after our last suspension on August 23, but two weeks have passed with no increase. Now, in solidarity, all staff except those of Ekota Transport have stopped work. Services will remain suspended until wages are increased.”

Masud Rana, manager of Desh Travels, declined to comment. Shariful Islam Sumon, manager of Ekota Transport, said: “Our wages are higher—drivers get Tk 1,800, supervisors Tk 800, and assistants Tk 700. Our buses have continued running as workers requested.”

Rafiqul Islam Pakhi, acting general secretary of the Rajshahi District Motor Workers’ Union, said: “We are protesting for a pay rise. The owners offered only Tk 100 more, which workers rejected. We will meet them again to ensure staff demands are met.”

Attempts to contact Nazrul Islam Helal, general secretary of the Rajshahi Transport Group, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.