Leading businesses in Bangladesh have urged Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to take immediate steps to avert a looming shutdown at Chattogram port, warning that any prolonged disruption ahead of the national election could severely affect the country’s trade, supply chains and overall economic stability.
The call came in a joint letter sent to the chief adviser on Saturday by leaders of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).
The trade bodies expressed “deep concern” over a declared programme of continuous strike and work stoppage at the country’s main seaport, saying such action at this critical juncture could paralyse import-export operations and undermine business confidence.
According to the letter, the ongoing standoff, called by the Chattogram Port Rakkha Sangram Parishad, includes plans to suspend berthing and cargo handling indefinitely from Sunday, raising fears of a near standstill at the port.
Terming port workers and employees “frontline contributors to the nation’s economic progress”, the business leaders stressed the need for mutual understanding and cooperation among all stakeholders to keep operations running, particularly as the country prepares for the upcoming national election.
They noted that around 99 per cent of the country’s container traffic and 78 per cent of seaborne trade depend on Chattogram port. Any disruption, they warned, would hit key export sectors – especially garments — and z could cause irreparable losses to exporters.
The letter also cautioned that delays in unloading essential consumer goods and industrial raw materials ahead of Ramadan may create artificial shortages in the domestic market, potentially driving up prices and hurting consumers.
Importers are already incurring substantial demurrage charges due to vessel congestion and operational delays, resulting in a significant outflow of foreign currency and adding pressure on the economy, the organisations said.
They further observed that disputes over the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and legal actions against some workers have complicated the situation and heightened tensions, making an amicable settlement more difficult.
Against this backdrop, the business bodies sought the chief adviser’s “direct and personal intervention” to ensure an immediate resolution and maintain uninterrupted port operations in the greater national interest.
Port operations have remained disrupted since 3 February, when workers began work abstention protesting a move to hand over NCT operations to UAE-based DP World.
After a brief pause, employees under the banner of the Chattogram Port Rakkha Sangram Parishad on Saturday announced an indefinite strike.
The workers have also demanded the removal of the port chairman and a comprehensive investigation into corruption allegations against him.
