Following the vigorous strike by HMM crews, another organization began to plan a strike.
This time it is Chittagong, and the group planning to strike is a group of truck drivers, van drivers and tractor-trailer drivers who transport goods and containers to and from across Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Trucking Owners Association and the Bangladesh Truck Drivers Workers Federation have called for a 72-hour strike starting from September 21 to demand the fulfillment of their 15-point demands.
In addition, Parishad, the coordinating department of Bangladesh’s main porters of trucks, vans and tanks, has called for a strike starting from September 27 to meet their 10-point demands.
Chittagong is the second largest city and the largest port in Bangladesh. In the latest global container throughput port rankings, Chittagong ranks 67th.
Almost all imports and exports of Bangladesh pass through Chittagong, which is the economic center of Bangladesh and accounts for a large proportion of the country’s gross national product.
In Bangladesh, most of the domestic goods and import and export goods are transported by truck drivers, van drivers and tractor-trailer drivers.
Usually, in a 24-hour period, the cargo exported from Chittagong port is about 8,000 TEU, the port receives about the same number of containers, and about 4,000 trucks enter the port to transport goods every day and containers.
A strike would probably stop all these operations. By then, the port will not be able to operate normally, and containers stacked at the terminal will be overrun; the supply of domestic raw materials and other consumer goods will also be interrupted, affecting factory production and people’s lives.
These organizations have been expressing dissatisfaction across the country in many forms over the past few weeks, including forming a human resources chain and the National Press Club in the capital before the rally.
Strike representative Rustam Ali Khan said at the rally that unless the demands are met before September 27, they will abide by the agreement and go on strike.
These requirements include:
Removing the complexity of issuing licenses;
Take effective measures to stop theft during cargo transportation;
Stop police harassment and extortion in the name of cargo inspection;
Revoke income tax increases;
Build truck terminals with modern facilities on highways and districts.
Other organizations have also called for a strike to begin on September 21. They have raised 15 demands, including creating a good working environment and the necessary implementation of the Road Transport Act 2018. amendments and the elimination of income tax levied on vehicle owners.
Traders said that if truck workers and vehicle owners go on strike as scheduled, Chittagong Port will face a huge crisis and unprecedented pressure given the current recurring epidemic and container congestion. Supply chains will collapse, causing severe disruption.
“Any transport strike would be a major blow to us as factories and businesses are now open following prolonged supply disruptions related to the pandemic Yes,” said Dhaka-based trader Ashraf Ali.
He believes the government should sit down with truck workers and owners to resolve the impasse in the interests of trade and commerce.
Abul Kalam Azad, the owner of a garment factory in Narayanganj, pointed out that as the global epidemic situation has eased, buyers have placed a large number of orders.
“Factories are under tremendous pressure to stock up and deliver goods on time, and any disruption at this moment will hinder the recovery of the economy.” Azad said, asking for cooperation with the government Negotiate and cancel the strike plan.
Freight forwarders and foreign traders who have recently shipped goods to or from Chittagong Port, or who have passed through the port, should pay attention! It is necessary to maintain extreme patience and careful attention to the latest situation in Chittagong Port and follow up on the latest progress of the goods. </p
