Dhaka, Jan 28, (V7N) - Bangladesh Railway running staff have announced they will stop operating trains nationwide from midnight on January 27, due to unresolved demands, including the payment of pension benefits alongside their salaries.
 
Saeidur Rahman, General Secretary of the Dhaka Division Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Association, confirmed the news. He stated that following a meeting with railway officials on the afternoon of January 27, no assurances were given regarding their demands for mileage and running allowances. As a result, the running staff will begin their work stoppage at midnight.
 
According to responsible railway sources, running staff, including train drivers, assistant drivers, guards, and ticket checkers, are entitled to rest for 12 hours when they return to their headquarters after completing their duties, and 8 hours when returning to outlying stations. If they are required to work during their rest time for the benefit of the railway, they are entitled to additional allowances, known as "mileage."
 
The issue began when, on November 3, 2021, the Ministry of Finance issued a letter to the Ministry of Railways to limit mileage benefits. The letter removed unlimited mileage benefits and restricted them to a maximum of 30 working days. Additionally, the provision to include allowances as part of the running staff's pension was eliminated. This led to significant frustration among the running staff.
 
Running staff have been protesting for over three years to have their mileage benefits reinstated. They have organized several work stoppages and protests, though at times, they have suspended their actions following assurances from senior railway officials, including the Director-General, Secretary, and Minister of Railways.
 
Recently, the Ministry of Finance, in a letter dated January 23, 2025, reaffirmed its stance. It confirmed that running staff, while performing duties on moving trains, would receive running allowances but not travel or daily allowances. The letter also clarified that the monthly running allowance should not exceed their basic salary.
 
This announcement caused further frustration among the staff. They questioned why they should work for more than 8 hours if they would not be compensated accordingly.
 
The Railway Running Staff and Workers' Association also noted that a long-standing provision—dating back 160 years—required that 75% of mileage be added to the basic salary when calculating pensions. However, this was changed in 2020 when mileage was moved from the pay category to the travel allowance category. In response, the Finance Ministry objected to including mileage in pension calculations.
 
The workers' union pointed out that on April 10, 2022, following a letter from the Ministry of Finance, railway operations were halted nationwide for several days. The Finance Ministry later withdrew its objection after the protests, and the then-Railway Minister assured a quick resolution. Despite this, similar objections were raised by the Finance Ministry in June 2023, leaving the running staff frustrated and dissatisfied.
 
END/MSS/RH/