Online Desk: The temporary railway employees are observing a strike blocking FDC Rail Line in the city’s Karwan Bazar with a demand to regularize their jobs and an end to outsourcing. Following the blockade, rail communication of Dhaka with other parts remained suspended.

The workers took position on the rail line at 10am, stopping a Brahmanbaria-bound Titas Express train at the Karwan Bazar. Their demand includes to be made them permanent employees, cancellation of outsourcing system.

The workers alleged that around 7,500 temporary workers were hired nationwide through advertisements and have been working in the railways for 12-14 years. The initial agreement was to grant them permanent positions within 3-4 years.

But the railway authorities have failed to fulfill this commitment. The workers expressed anger over the announcement of new recruitment through outsourcing to contractor companies, which excludes them.