Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Porters' strike halts Indo-Bangla border trade

M Chhaya in Kolkata

International trade along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal has come to a grinding halt after Indian porters struck work protesting alleged exploitation by transport firms.

As a result of the indefinite strike that began on Monday, about 500 trucks, many of them carrying perishable goods, are now stranded at the border outpost in Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district.

The strike has been called by the Bongaon Transport Welfare Association, Bangladesh Export-Import Transport Association and Bongaon Goods Transport Association.

Porter leader Pradyut Nandy claimed transport companies were making the porters work extra hours, but are not compensating for the excess labour.

Also, transport firms were intentionally plying lesser number of vehicles that was robbing porters off income.

"Instead of plying about 400 trucks to Bangladesh daily, which is normal, the companies are sending only 200-250 trucks a day and holding back the rest in artificially created traffic jams. This helps them claim additional charges from the consignee," he said.

Transporters and district authorities are trying to resolve the cease work.

ALSO READ:
Bill Gates in India
More Money Headlines

Tell us what you think of this report