Railway running staff in Bangladesh have announced a strike due to unresolved issues regarding pension benefits and gratuity payments, which involve adding running allowances to their basic salary. The Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers’ Association declared that train operations across the country could halt starting at midnight on January 28. General Secretary Md. Mojibur Rahman stated, "From January 28, at 12:01 AM, we will cease all train operations unless the Ministry of Finance issues a clarification letter. A letter from the Ministry of Railways will not suffice, as this practice has been ongoing for 160 years. It cannot be abruptly stopped without consultation. We've extended deadlines and held back protests multiple times, but now we have no other option."

According to Rahman, while the workforce should include 2,036 running staff, only 1,036 are currently employed. This shortage forces individuals to work double shifts, leading to increased mileage claims. He added, "Between December 1-9, when we worked strictly as per regulations, train schedules collapsed, and many journeys were canceled because a single staff member could not handle the duties of two."

The association claims that previous protests were halted based on assurances from railway officials, but no tangible progress has been made. The issue intensified after the Ministry of Finance, in a November 3, 2021, letter, directed the Ministry of Railways to limit unlimited mileage benefits to 30 working days and exclude running allowances from pension and gratuity calculations. This decision sparked protests among running staff, who argue that the "mileage" system, which compensates them for additional hours worked, has been an integral part of their benefits for decades.

Despite ongoing discussions, railway officials have been unable to resolve the matter, leading to the association's decision to proceed with their strike. The Ministry of Railways expressed hope for a resolution, with Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam stating, "We are in discussions with them, and we hope they do not proceed with their strike."