Saiful Haque, general secretary of Bangladesh’s Revolutionary Workers Party, alleged that responsibility for the worsening power crisis is being shifted onto rickshaw workers. He made the remarks on Sunday at a rally in Purana Paltan intersection in the capital, organized by Biplobi Rickshaw Workers Solidarity over five demands of rickshaw workers. Haque said the government, wealthy people and the middle class should first use energy more sparingly to address the crisis.

He said the government must meet the survival demands of neglected working people, including rickshaw workers, to prove that it is worker-friendly. Haque added that democracy would hold no meaning for workers unless humane living conditions were ensured. He also said no one speaks about the human rights of rickshaw workers.

Haque demanded an immediate end to indiscriminate impounding of battery-powered rickshaws and extortion from their drivers. He called for the release of all seized rickshaws within 72 hours, warning of broader action to protect workers’ livelihoods otherwise. Other speakers said many people depend on battery-powered rickshaws but face uncertainty from impoundment, police harassment and other abuse.