Businesspersons organised a ‘human-chain’ in Dhaka calling for an end
to the current political standoff.
Leaders of several business bodies took part in the protest in front
of the BGMEA office in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazaar.
“Workers of all the factories too will be forced to come out on the
streets if the confronting parties fail to arrive at an agreement
within next five days,” said BGMEA president Atiqul Islam.
Business bodies, including FBCCI, had tried brokering a solution to
end the political deadlock by meeting the Prime Minister and the
Opposition Leader.
Leaders of the BGMEA had also met Sheikh Hasina. They had, however,
been refused an appointment by Khaleda Zia.
“We, along with all workers, will lay a siege to Ganabhaban (Prime
Minister’s house) and house of Opposition Leader if no solution is
found in next five days,” said Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez.
FBCCI’s former President Annisul Huq said, “Give up this dirty
politics. You (Politicians) are slowly becoming history. You have very
less time left to act”
Leaders of FBCCI and various organisations took part in the human
chain by responding to the call of apparel industrialists’
associations BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA.
President of the Exporters’ Association of Bangladesh Abdus Salam
Murshedy and BGMEA’s former President Anisur Rahman Sinha, among
others, spoke during the demonstration.
Vehicular movement came to a halt on one side of the road in front of
the BGMEA Bhaban during the programme that began at midday. Traffics
resumed around 45 minutes after the human chain ended.
Atiqul Islam said, “In the present circumstances, the 30-year-old
apparel industry, is finding itself in a tight spot. We have never
faced such a challenge in the past.”
Businesspersons are failing to export as communications have come to a
halt due to the non-stop shutdown and blockade. At the same time,
imported goods are also stranded at various ports.
The BGMEA President said, “We cannot safely despatch our consignments.
Containers loaded with goods have been awaiting shipment. The whole
supply chain has snapped.”
The exporters were to send 0.132 million tonnes of goods abroad by air
during Jan to Sept, but they have failed to do so thus incurring a
loss of about Tk 40 billion, he said.
Bangladesh’s main export sector, apparel industry, should be kept out
of the purview of the shutdown and blockade, he demanded.
Pointing to the politicians, he said, “You indulge in politicking
while we work to keep the economy vibrant.”
“Keep Dhaka-Chittagong highway free from all programmes, including
shutdown and blockade.”
He also demanded that all apparel goods-carrying vehicles be kept out
of the purview of the shutdowns and blockades.
Many entrepreneurs might be compelled to pull out their business due
to lack of security if the present condition persisted, warned the
BGMEA President.
“We want an exit plan similar to Chapter-11 (liquidation) that exists
in other countries so that we can pull out without any hassle. Give us
an exit plan” he said.
When Atiqul said, “It is no more possible to bear this burden,” human
chain participators followed him by chanting three times, “We cannot
repay our bank loan.”
“Our appeal to two major political parties is “relieve us (of the
problems triggered by the present crisis). Otherwise, it will not be
possible for us to bear this burden.” – bdnews24.com
