Water transport workers in Patuakhali went on work stoppage on Saturday demanding implementation of their 11-points demands.

The strike caused immense suffering to the commuters in the route, specially for hundreds of students who came here to sit for the admission test at Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

The local people also expressed their worries if the price of essential commodities increases following the strike.

Earlier on Friday, Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation (BWTWF) called the strike for an indefinite period to press home their 11-point demands.

The demands include: providing salary according to the gazette announced in 2016, giving landing pass for India-bound labours, giving food allowance and night-shift allowance, providing compensation for workers in case of death in the workplace.

Md Israfil, a first class master of Prince Awlad-7 launch, said they protect the assets of owners' keeping their lives in danger. But the owners does not implement their logical demands.

They will continue the strike until their demands are met, he added.

Bangladesh Lanuch Labour Association president Abdul Malek said the government issued a gazette in 2016 accepting workers' demands but the owners did not comply with the gazette .

In this circumtances, the workers are forced to announce the strike, Abdul Malek said.

Meanwhile, Khaja Sadiqur Rahman, an assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Patuakhali, said a meeting is going on between the workers and the owners in Dhaka.

The decision of plying launches depends on the meeting, the BIWTA official added.