Bangladesh’s all export-oriented readymade garment factories reopened on Wednesday after a four-day closure, which began on Saturday, due to unrest related to the quota reform movement.

Business leaders said that factory operations were generally back to normal across the country, though some factories experienced production interruptions due to a shortage of raw materials.

This shortage arose because businesses were unable to receive deliveries from ports over the past week.
Business leaders have requested that the government waive demurrage charges for delays in receiving and shipping goods from ports during the past five days.

Mohammad Hatem, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said while all factories reopened on Wednesday, worker attendance was 10-15 percent lower than usual.

He said that production interruptions were caused by the inability to release import consignments from ports, a problem exacerbated by an internet blackout and curfew.

Hatem mentioned that they had asked the prime minister’s principal secretary, Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, to waive the demurrage charges for delays. The principal secretary assured that the matter would be reviewed.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Mahbubul Alam has called for a suspension of any new charges for 15 days after normalcy is restored in shipment and import clearance activities at the ports.

He said that the internet blackout and curfew, imposed to manage unrest related to the quota reform movement—which has resulted in over 150 deaths since July 16—prevented businesses from completing export and import activities.

The FBCCI’s request came as business activities resumed on Wednesday following the partial restoration of broadband internet and a relaxation of the curfew from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Businesspeople observed that import container and cargo delivery from Chattogram port yards gained momentum with the partial resumption of internet services.

Since the internet outage began on July 18, Chattogram port has faced severe container congestion, with customs authorities unable to assess duties and banks unable to process payments.