A nationwide indefinite strike by ambulance and freezer van operators has been called off after the government assured owners that their demands would be addressed through discussions over the next 30 days.
The Ambulance Owner Welfare Association announced the decision at an emergency press briefing held at the MP Hostel reception room in the capital shortly after midnight.
The briefing was attended by lawmaker Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Md Habibur Rahman, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman and senior police representatives.
The announcement followed a meeting involving government officials and representatives of the association, where both sides agreed to resolve the organisation`s five-point demand through consultations with the relevant authorities within a month.
Addressing the briefing, Advocate Shimul said the government had reached a consensus with the association after constructive discussions.
"The Ambulance Owner Welfare Association placed five demands before us. Following constructive discussions, we have agreed that the issues will be resolved within the next 30 days after consultation with the relevant stakeholders," he said.
Association Chief Adviser Mohammad Golam Mostofa Fuad said the government`s commitment prompted the organisation to withdraw the planned strike.
"As the government has assured us that our demands will be considered within the next 30 days, we are withdrawing our scheduled strike," he said.
Fuad urged ambulance owners and drivers across the country to continue operating emergency services to avoid causing hardship to the public.
"I request all ambulance owners and drivers to continue serving people and refrain from enforcing the strike, so that no public suffering is caused," he added.
The association had earlier announced an indefinite nationwide suspension of ambulance and freezer van services from 6:00am on Wednesday to press home its five-point demand.
Its demands include enforcing commercial registration rules for ambulances operating on hire, implementing a High Court directive to allow government ambulances toll-free movement, exempting ambulances and freezer vans carrying dead bodies from tolls, and ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply for emergency ambulance services.
