Saidul Islam, a minibus driver in Dhaka, says he spends up to 17 hours a day behind the wheel, with no fixed salary, no leave and little protection if he falls ill or is injured.
He drives on a busy local route in the capital from early morning until late at night. He said he joins May Day rallies every year. But he questions whether anything changes for workers like him.
“On May Day, we are put at the front and made to march. But who looks after us the rest of the year?” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
His frustration reflects a broader reality in Bangladesh’s commercial transport sector, where drivers and assistants say there is no clearly defined minimum wage, no set working hours and no formal contracts. Legal protection is limited, and sick leave is often unavailable.
One bus assistant in Dhaka said workers sometimes remain on duty for up to 48 hours at a stretch.
“After finishing one trip, we go out again. Whatever little time we get in between is all we have to sleep,” he said.
There is no precise figure for how many people work in the transport sector. But according to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, nearly six million vehicles were registered in the country as of 2023. Based on that, industry insiders estimate the workforce could be close to 50 lakh – potentially larger than the garment sector.
Despite its size, the sector remains largely outside formal wage regulation.
The Minimum Wages Board, which sets pay structures for workers in 44 sectors, has not fixed a wage framework for commercial transport workers. The only reference point is a 2020 minimum wage of Tk10,100 for some privately employed transport workers.
Raisha Afroz, secretary of the board, said complaints from transport workers rarely reach the board directly.
Workers say their income depends entirely on the number of trips they complete.
“I do not have a fixed salary. The more trips I make, the more I earn. If I fall sick, my income stops,” said Saidul Islam.
“If there is an accident, the owner often avoids responsibility. If there is a police case, we sometimes have to manage it from our own pockets,” he added.
Despite these conditions, transport workers are among the most visible participants in May Day rallies.
Nasim Hossain, a bus assistant on the Mirpur–Farmgate route, said he would rather not attend.
“Sometimes political activists come and say we must join the procession. If we refuse, there may be trouble later,” he said.
Hundreds of unions, few safeguards workers
Despite a large number of organisations representing road transport workers in Bangladesh, many drivers and assistants say their basic rights remain unprotected.
According to the Ministry of Labour, there are 932 registered associations of owners and workers in the road transport sector.
The largest body is the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, which oversees 253 affiliated unions across the country.
Most transport labour organisations operate under the federation’s umbrella. Workers and observers say their influence often shifts with political power, with groups aligned to the ruling party exerting control.
Asked why workers continue to face such hardship despite extensive union representation, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation General Secretary Humayun Kabir Khan pointed to structural gaps.
“No one works on workers’ education, training or healthcare,” he said.
“When accidents happen, drivers are blamed. But no one looks at what is needed to reduce those accidents.”
However, when asked about allegations regarding the use of funds collected in the name of workers, his response changed.
After hearing the question, he said he was busy and would return the call in 10 minutes, but did not respond again.
Where do the funds go?
Across Bangladesh, transport workers say money is collected daily in the name of hundreds of unions, but many have little idea where it ends up.
Media reports over the years have alleged that politically influential figures, elected representatives, city authorities and even some members of law enforcement and public officials benefit from these collections.
Abdur Rahim Bux Dudu, acting president Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, said workers typically pay Tk30 to their union and Tk10 to the federation per day.
Asked how the funds are used, he said they cover organisational costs and stipends for labour leaders, as well as other expenses.
State support exists, but remains out of reach
Officials say there are government schemes intended to support workers, including financial assistance for medical treatment and compensation in cases of injury or death.
Tasnova Ahmed Ananna, assistant director of Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation, said such support is available through formal applications.
But many workers say accessing it is difficult.
“How will I even apply? Where do I go, what documents do I need? No one explains it properly,” said Alamgir Hossain, a bus assistant at the Mohakhali terminal in Dhaka.
Humayun Kabir, a driver on the Gazipur–Dhaka route, said the process is too complex.
“They ask for many documents and you have to visit multiple offices. It is very hard for us to manage,” he said.
Another assistant, Md Rashed, who works on a bus in Mirpur, said limited literacy is also a barrier.
“We cannot read or write properly. Filling out forms or writing applications is difficult, so we do not even try,” he said.
