Dhaka metro rail workers warn of service suspension starting February 21

Dhaka’s metro rail services could come to a halt from February 21 as the permanent employees of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) have issued an ultimatum to the authorities. 

The employees are demanding that their employment regulations be finalized by February 20, or they will stop metro services as part of their protest.

The warning was made in a statement released by the employees on Monday, where they emphasized that if metro services are interrupted, the DMTCL management will bear full responsibility. 

The employees expressed their frustration over the long delay in formalizing their employment policy, which they claim is crucial for the smooth operation of the metro rail system.

The press release, issued under the name "Permanent Officers and Employees Recruited through Direct Open Recruitment at DMTCL," highlighted that on September 12, Road Transport Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan had given clear instructions to establish a full-fledged employment policy. 

In response to this directive, DMTCL’s 60th board meeting had decided to draft the policy and submit it to the Road Transport Division within 60 days.

However, despite this decision, no progress has been made in the past five months. 

The employees pointed out that the delay in creating the policy remains unexplained and has led to a serious situation where more than 200 skilled, local, and foreign-trained officers and employees have already resigned from DMTCL. 

This has raised concerns about the future of metro rail operations and maintenance, which could face major disruptions without experienced staff in place.

On February 13, the employees once again raised the issue, calling for urgent action on the matter. 

Following this, DMTCL’s senior management began discussions regarding the draft employment policy and continued these talks up until Monday. 

The employees were given assurances that the policy would soon be revised and finalized through a board meeting. 

However, the workers remain firm in their stance, insisting that the deadline must be met, or they will take action.

This ongoing dispute between DMTCL employees and management has now placed Dhaka’s metro rail services in jeopardy, with commuters facing potential disruptions if the situation is not resolved by February 21.