Meat traders call off their Ramadan strike

Meat traders took a step back from their decision to go on strike from the first day of Ramadan after the commerce minister yesterday assured them of meeting their demands within four to five days.

They, however, will abstain from work for an indefinite period if the authorities concerned fail to meet their demands.

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The demands include reducing fees on cattle purchase by the lessee of Gabtoli Cattle Market.

“Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told us that he would hold talks with the mayors of Dhaka North and South City Corporations and end our troubles in four-five days,” Rabiul Alam, secretary general of Dhaka Metropolitan Meat Traders' Association, told The Daily Star after meeting the minister at the ministry.

Meat traders in the capital went on a six-day strike from February 13 with the same demands.

Before meeting the minister, the association leaders at a press conference yesterday morning claimed that sales of red meat had fallen due to exorbitant price of beef and mutton.

Almost half the meat shops have already shut down due to lack of customers, Rabiul said.

He also said that the state department of DNCC was charging slaughtering fees without providing a modern slighter house.