Business leaders warn economic fallout, urge CA Yunus' intervention as Ctg Port crisis deepens
Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the NCT lease deal, removal of the port chairman over alleged corruption, withdrawal of cases filed against workers and assurances that no further punitive measures will be taken.
Major business associations have appealed to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for urgent personal intervention to defuse the escalating crisis at Chattogram Port, warning that an indefinite strike planned from tomorrow could trigger severe economic fallout just four days before the national election.
In an open letter dated today (7 February), the 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) said continued disruption at the country's main seaport would pose a serious threat to exports, essential commodity supplies and overall economic stability.
The letter was signed by BEF President Fazle Karim Ehsan, BGMEA Acting President Selim Rahman, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem and BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell.
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Describing Chattogram Port as the "lifeline of the national economy," the business leaders noted that it handles around 99% of the country's container traffic and 78% of seaborne trade. Any prolonged shutdown, they warned, could cause irreparable damage to key export sectors, particularly ready-made garments, while creating artificial shortages of essential goods ahead of Ramadan.
They also cautioned that vessel congestion and cargo delays would result in massive demurrage payments, putting additional pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves.
While commending the interim government's reform initiatives and preparations for what they described as a free, fair and neutral election under Yunus's leadership, the signatories said they were deeply concerned by the "deep impasse" at the port.
The situation, they said, has been aggravated by the announcement of continuous strikes and shutdowns at the port terminals and outer anchorage from 8 February by the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, a platform of port workers and employees opposing the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based DP World.
According to the letter, seven consecutive days of dialogue and coordination meetings involving various stakeholders have failed to produce a breakthrough. The business leaders pointed to the controversial NCT lease plan as the core trigger of the unrest, saying the situation has become more volatile due to legal actions and investigations initiated against protesting workers.
"At this critical juncture, four days before the national election, any disruption to the country's supply system and economic activities is undesirable for all of us," the letter said, urging the chief adviser to take immediate steps to promote mutual understanding among workers, port authorities and other stakeholders.
The appeal comes as port workers prepare to resume an indefinite strike after a brief 48-hour suspension following talks with Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain.
The protest movement began in late January over the government's plan to hand over the NCT to DP World. A six-day work abstention earlier last week brought port operations to a standstill, leaving thousands of containers stuck at yards and dozens of vessels waiting at outer anchorage, with losses running into billions of taka.
Although the strike was temporarily paused after negotiations with the shipping adviser, labour leaders warned that the suspension was conditional. They accuse the port authority of acting in bad faith by transferring protesting employees and seeking anti-corruption probes and travel bans against labour leaders.
Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the NCT lease deal, removal of the port chairman over alleged corruption, withdrawal of cases filed against workers and assurances that no further punitive measures will be taken.
Trade bodies, particularly in the export sector, have repeatedly warned that renewed disruptions could lead to order cancellations, shipment delays, price hikes and potential job losses. With Ramadan approaching, business leaders fear supply chain instability could also push up prices of essential commodities.
Port authorities, on the other hand, have accused the strikers of disrupting national trade and have taken a series of administrative and legal steps, further hardening positions on both sides. Operations at the port remain fragile during the current pause, with stakeholders bracing for fresh disruptions if the strike resumes as announced.
With the election scheduled for 12 February and economic sensitivities running high, the business community's appeal underscores growing concern that failure to resolve the standoff quickly could amplify economic pressures and spill over into the broader political and social landscape.
