The transport workers’ strike has started to affect the movement of goods across the country, said industry insiders yesterday.
Business leaders in Dhaka have expressed their concern over the strike and said that the supply chain of export, import goods and essential commodities would be affected if the strike continues.
“If the strike prolongs, it will have a disastrous impact on our exports and imports,” said Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Apparel accounts for over 80 percent of the country’s annual exports.
Rahman demands an end to the strike for the sake of the economy.
Transport workers took their protests to the next level after the conviction of two fellow drivers this week. It agitated the transport workers, who were already on strike in the Khulna division, and changed it to a countrywide strike since Monday.
Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, however, said businesses are yet to feel the pinch as most goods-laden trucks move at night.
Transporters have reportedly obstructed the movement of goods laden trucks to and from the Chittagong port and on the highways.
AM Mahbub Ali, vice president of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said trade through Chittagong port is under threat as many transport business owners did not agree to rent their vehicles for the strike. According to businesses and port officials in Chittagong, around 2,000 containers are exported and the same number is imported every day on average through the port.
Omar Azam, general secretary of Chaktai Rice Merchant Association, said workers obstructed the goods carrying vehicles at many spots and many trucks could not reach Khatunganj on time. The prices of commodities may go up if the strike lingers, he fears.
Jafar Alam, member (administration) of Chittagong Port, said come workers tried to obstruct loading and unloading activities of goods at the port, but were unable to do so.
“Many exporters and importers, who have their own vehicles, are yet to feel the consequences of the strike.”
When asked, Abdus Sabur, general secretary of Chittagong District Truck and Covered Van Workers’ Union, denied the allegation that workers were obstructing the vehicles.
Our correspondent at Benapole, the country’s premier land port, said around 1,000 trucks carrying goods, like fish and onions, were seen stranded at the port for the ongoing strike.
Showkat Hossain, commissioner of customs at Benapole, said the government is losing out on Tk 10 crore a day in taxes because of the strike.
Bhomra, another land port under the Satkhira district, is also facing the same ordeal as many trucks remain stranded at the port with perishable goods, such as fruits. Importers there said they are incurring heavy losses for the strike.
Source: The Daily Star
