Dhaka: The indefinite strike enforced by the vessel workers on Wednesday midnight is continuing for the second consecutive day on Friday.

As the strike continued, the passengers underwent unbearable sufferings being left in the lurch at the launch terminals across the country, reports UNB news.

The river vessels, including launches, and goods, sand and oil-laden ones, stayed off the waterways on the second day as usual.

The strike, enforced jointly by Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation and Bangladesh River Vessel Workers Federation, began at 12:01midnight on Thursday.

The vessel workers called the strike to press home their 15-point demand, including raising their minimum basic wage to Tk10,000 from the existing

Tk 4,150, giving them formal appointment, issuing identity cards and service book, and ensuring their social security.

Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, general secretary of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation, said the strike will continue until their demands were met.

On the other hand, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan hoped that the vessel workers would withdraw their strike soon.

‘I hope the workers will call off their strike soon as discussions are underway with vessel owners and workers over the issue,’ he said while talking to reporters after a programme in Mirpur of the capital on Thursday.

The minister said the vessel owners and workers themselves will have to resolve their problems.

Pointing at the workers, Shajahan said they should not go on a strike taking people hostage.