The workers’ strike called by the Chittagong Prime Mover Trailer Sramik Union that started on Wednesday, demanding issuance of appointment letters, has reportedly disrupted the import-export activities at the all important Chittagong Port.
Handling bulk of all exports and imports including garment shipments from the readymade garment sector of Bangladesh, the workers’ strike, some garment makers fear, could make longer lead times and impact businesses adversely.
As per reports, shipment of containers (export-import) between Chittagong port and 19 private inland container depots (ICDs) remained suspended due to the strike.
Meanwhile, talking to the media, former General Secretary of Chittagong Prime Mover Trailer Sramik Union Humayun Kabir underlined that the negotiations between the workers and the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) held recently, ended without making any headway.
“We have no problem with giving appointment letters. But the workers are demanding a salary hike,” claimed BICDA Secretary Ruhul Amin Shikder while adding that the strike would adversely impact Bangladesh’s trade and commerce.