The transport sector is plagued by rampant corruption. They are seen as more powerful in controlling the workers. The Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB)Dr. Iftekharuzzaman commented that the government is powerless to them.
He made this comment at the research report release ceremony organized at Midas Center on Tuesday (March 5) afternoon.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that 80 percent of the owner- labor unions are under the control of the government party, the entire sector is held hostage due to the influence of political parties. By this, the passengers are deprived of the desired service. They are being harassed in various ways. It is clear that BRTA has been a total failure. They have failed to fulfill their duties.
According to the report, an average of Tk. 17 thousand 619 per bus has to be paid in bribes for bus registration, certificate issuance and updating. An estimate of extortion of Tk. 900 crore 59 lakh per year from this sector is highlighted.
Tk. 24 crore 97 lakh are extorted annually on roads by individuals or groups in party identity, Tk. 33 crore 48 crores in the name of pourashava and city corporation representatives and political workers for parking on roads, Tk. 87 crore 57 lakh from traffic police to avoid cases, owners for entering and exiting terminals And the additional amount of Tk. 12 crore 76 lakh collected by the labor organization was collected illegally.
Mohammad Noor –e- Alam, research fellow of TIB, said that 60.2 percent of the buses plying on the road are privately owned. According to BRTA's 2023 report, 98.4 percent of passengers travel by private transport. The total number of privately owned buses is 80 thousand 521.
He said, the purpose of the research is to review the integrity of the transport business. The study started in May 2023 and will continue until February 2024. The survey was conducted from September 11 to October 22, 2023. 51 bus terminals were monitored.
He also said that 18.9 percent of buses do not have registration, 24 percent do not have fitness, 18.5 do not have tax tokens, 22 percent do not have route permits. 82 percent of the workers were not given any job. They have to work an average of 11 hours a day, up to a maximum of 18 hours; they are not given any overtime allowance.
Among others present were Research and Policy Director Mohammad Badiuzzaman, Advisor (Executive Management) Sumaiya Khair.