Transport owners and workers under the banner of Bus Minibus Malik Sramik Sangram Parishad yesterday at a press conference at the National Press Club announced the programme.

They also threatened to go for tougher movement after Eid if the government does not withdraw the decision to remove over 10-year-old buses from the city.

"If the government removes 10-year-old buses from the city, thousands of owners and workers will be jobless," Maharaj Hossain, coordinator of Bus Minibus Malik Sramik Sangram Parishad said.

Rather, 35-40 year-old buses belonging to Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation run without fitness and cause traffic jam and pollution in the city, he alleged.

"It will be very illogical if the

government bans the plying of 10-year-old buses in the city as transport owners need about 10 years to repay the bus-loan," said Maharaj Hossain.

He alleged some unscrupulous traders are prompting the government to take the decision so that they get opportunity to import low quality buses.

Transport owners also demanded to stop all kinds of harassment to private bus workers by mobile courts and at check posts.

Members of Bus Minibus Malik Sramik Sangram Parishad Abul Mansur, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman, Kamrul Islam, M A Aziz Hiru and Mansur Alam were present at the press conference.