DMTC staff to begin full work stoppage Friday over delay in service rules

Regular officers and employees of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTC) have announced a full work stoppage and suspension of all passenger services from 7am on Friday (December 12), protesting the authorities’ failure to formulate and publish a comprehensive service rule.

Employees said the DMTC was supposed to accept their demand on December 09. Still, the commitment was not fulfilled, prompting them to enforce the previously declared ultimatum, according to local media reports.

According to several staff members, even after 12 years of the company’s establishment in 2013, no separate service regulation has been finalised for more than 900 employees.

As a result, despite operating Metro Rail since December 2022, staff recruited through open competition are being deprived of leave benefits, CPF, gratuity, shift allowances, overtime and group insurance.

They said the advisory committee had directed that service rules be prepared within 60 working days from 12 September 2024, a directive later extended to 20 March 2025.

After nine months of delays, employees say frustration has intensified. Alongside the work stoppage, they will hold a daily peaceful sit-in in front of the DMTC headquarters.