DHAKA:  Road transport owners and workers of southwestern districts Wednesday retracted their call for indefinite strike from June 24, after an urgent negotiation with the government side.

Convenor of Southwestern Road Transport Owners-Workers Unity Council SM Shah Alam Mukul declared the latest decision at a meeting with the ministers concerned at the secretariat.

The council earlier had given the combined call for the indefinite strike to press their 16-point charter of demands, including banning local vehicles like Nosimon, Votvoti, Autovan and illegal transport of passengers on easy-bikes, motorbikes and microbuses.

They also demanded payment of dues and compensation for requisitioned vehicles.

It was learnt that communications minister Syed Abul Hossain would also sit with the Council leaders at Setu Bhaban on July 3.

Leaders of the organization, shipping minister Shahjahan Khan and state minister for Labour and Employment Munnujan Sufian attended the meeting.

BDST: 1712; 23 June 2010
UB/BK/SA/SMS/MUA