Bangladesh Railway Strike 2025: Why Train Services Are Suspended Across The Country

Bangladesh Railway Strike 2025: Why Train Services Are Suspended Across The Country. The Bangladesh Railway strike has caused a complete halt in train services nationwide, severely disrupting daily commutes and cargo transport. This strike, initiated by the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Association, stems from long-standing grievances related to pension, gratuity, and running allowance complications.

In this detailed article, we explore why the railway staff are on strike, what demands they have, how it impacts passengers, and what steps are expected next.

On Tuesday, January 28, after midnight, train drivers, guards, and ticket checkers—collectively known as the running staff of Bangladesh Railways—began a countrywide strike. As a result, no trains departed from starting stations after midnight, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

According to Saidur Rahman, General Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Association:

“We have not received any positive decision from Railway Bhavan. That is why we stand firm on our decision to keep railway services closed.”

This means trains scheduled to leave after midnight are not running. However, trains that had already left before midnight are continuing their journeys and are being operated responsibly to ensure passenger safety.

At the heart of the railway strike is the issue of pension and gratuity benefits tied to the running allowance. For over 160 years, Bangladesh Railway included 75% of mileage (running allowance) in calculating the basic salary for pension and gratuity. This practice acknowledged the rigorous duty hours of running staff who often work beyond regular shifts.

However, in 2020, this was changed:

• The running allowance was moved from the pay component to the Travel Allowance (TA) sector, which by accounting standards, does not count towards pension or gratuity.
• Then on November 3, 2021, the Ministry of Finance objected to adding mileage to pension benefits.

This sparked years of unresolved tension.

Mileage or running allowance compensates train staff who:

• Work beyond normal hours,
• Often travel far from headquarters,
• Sacrifice rest periods for operational needs.

The Railway Establishment Code specifies that:

• Staff get 12 hours of rest at headquarters and 8 hours at outer stations.
• If made to work during rest, they receive extra allowance.

This was traditionally added to basic salary for retirement benefits. The sudden exclusion means staff stand to lose substantial pension sums.

In the past years:

• In April 2022, a similar strike forced the Finance Ministry to temporarily withdraw its objection after train services halted.
• On June 11, 2023, the then Director General of Railways reaffirmed pension with mileage.
• But just a week later on June 18, the Finance Ministry again raised objections.

Frustrations grew. In the latest blow, a January 23, 2025 letter from the Finance Department upheld their stance:

“Monthly running allowance will not exceed basic salary and no allowance except running allowance is admissible for train duty.”

This final directive angered the running staff, triggering the current strike.

Railway Staff Reaction

“We work more than 8 hours, as per government duty rules. If there’s no fair pay for overtime, why should we work extra?”
— A railway running staff member.

Railway Ministry’s Position

Railway Advisor Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan said:

“We’ve forwarded their demands to the Finance Ministry. It’s not in our hands. Similar demands exist in other departments too. It depends on government capacity.”

Union’s Standpoint

Md. Mojibur Rahman, General Secretary of the Association, stressed:

“A rule standing for 160 years cannot be stopped overnight. We’ve given chances, withdrawn strikes before. But this time, there is no other option.”

The union insists only a clarification letter from the Finance Ministry, not just the Railways Ministry, can solve this.

• Passengers who boarded before midnight will safely reach destinations. But from there, trains will halt.
• No scheduled trains are leaving from origin stations after midnight.
• This is hurting businesses, delaying cargo, and shaking public confidence.

The Bangladesh Railway Ministry hopes to resolve this through negotiation. But the strike is set to continue, crippling railway operations, unless the Finance Department takes direct action to restore mileage in pension calculations.

This Bangladesh Railway strike underscores how unresolved pension complications and abrupt policy changes can paralyze national infrastructure. It also highlights the unwavering resolve of railway employees who have kept the trains running for generations under demanding conditions.