In a statement yesterday, the apex trade body said the ongoing strike has been affecting the export-related sectors, especially the garments, severely as over 8,000 container-carrying vehicles are not transporting import-export goods to and from Chittagong, reports BSS. Offloading of containers at Chittagong port has been hampering badly, it added. The FBCCI said as the container-carrying vehicles are not transporting any export products to the port. Most of the ships are going back empty which is not only affecting the export but also hampering the revenue collection. There will be a negative impact on the relations with buyers due to delay in the shipment of export items, it added. “The country’s export sector will face an image crisis if the strike is not withdrawn,” FBCCI said. The trade body requested the Shipping Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Chittagong City mayor, Chittagong Port Authority and law enforcement officials to take necessary steps for withdrawal of the strike to ensure smooth movement of export-import products of the country. Owners and workers of the vehicles went on indefinite strike on September 26, protesting what they said harassment by the staff members of the Road Transport and Highways Division on Dhaka-Chittagong highway. On August 17, the Road Transport and Highways Division fixed a limit for carrying goods and declared the amount of fines against overloaded vehicles in an effort to cut movement of overloaded vehicles. On August 23, the division started a drive in this regard, which was resisted by the workers. The drive started again on September 24. Many drivers refused to pay the fine.
