Public transport officials have called off the strike in Chittagong following the government's decision. However, the transport leaders did not withdraw the strike in response to various demands including the appropriate decision of the government. Meanwhile, traders fear severe losses in the export sector due to continuous strikes in the transport of goods.
From 6 am last Friday till now, the people involved in transporting goods have been on strike for four consecutive days. The transport leaders have announced a strike in freight transport demanding withdrawal of increased prices of diesel and kerosene, withdrawal of toll on Jamuna and Muktarpur bridges and cessation of road extortion. Exporters are expressing apprehension over their decision.
The traders claim that it is not possible to take any goods from the factory to the depot due to the decision of the freighters. It is not possible to ship the product. As a result, there is a kind of uncertainty about the timely delivery of export products to buyers in different countries of the world.
Meanwhile, the port is in trouble due to the decision of continuous strike in the transportation of goods. Goods from the depot have stopped coming to the port. As a result, there are obstacles in lifting goods on the ship. Goods, containers and ships have already been stranded at the port.
Port officials say there are 7,000 containers for auction at the port. Auction cars occupy a large space. Containers and shipping have already started at the port due to non-operation of cargo on it. As a result, the pace of work at the port is being hampered, while the export sector is also expected to suffer.
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Syed Nazrul Islam, First vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the strike was not a good omen for the country's economy. The traders will face severe losses due to the ongoing strike. our country's export sector will be severely affected. The strike has already begun to affect the export sector. There are piles of products in the factory. The ship could not leave the port due to lack of goods. If this continues, the country's export and economic aspects will be crippled. We want a quick solution. "
Chittagong Port Secretary Mohammad Umar Faruq said, "The strike has not been lifted. This is hindering the dynamic activities of the port. The unloading of goods at the port on Friday and Saturday is less. Therefore, the two-day strike did not have much effect on the port. However, the strike continues on Sunday and Monday. No one knows when it will end. If the strike continues, all the ports and traders will be affected. Government revenue collection will suffer. The port will also have a serious impact on customs targets. ' He said, "In the last three days of continuous strike, about 3,000 containers have been jammed in the port." If we calculate today, it will exceed three and a half thousand containers. So if the strike is not called off, the port will come to a standstill. '
Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, general secretary of the Bangladesh Coverdvan-Truck-Primemover Goods Transport Owners Association, said, "We were not consulted when raising the price of fuel oil. The government should have discussed the matter with us. Every sector of the country is involved with fuel oil. But we cannot run transport with losses. So our transportation is off. We are still on the field. We will continue our strike until a suitable solution is found.
