Leading employers’ and apparel sector associations in Bangladesh have called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to step in and resolve the ongoing stalemate at Chattogram Port, warning that prolonged disruptions could destabilise the country’s economy ahead of the national elections.

In a joint open letter on February 7, 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) expressed grave concern over a fresh indefinite strike announced by port workers from February 8.

The protest is aimed at opposing the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operator DP World, alongside four other demands.

The letter said that previous strikes began on January 31 with eight-hour stoppages over three consecutive days and escalated into an indefinite strike from Tuesday.

Operations had briefly resumed following discussions with Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain last Thursday, but the situation has since deteriorated.

‘The indefinite strike and call to halt operations at the outer anchorage … has created deep concern in our industry and trade,’ the associations said.

They described port workers and employees as the ‘front line’ of the country’s economy and stressed the urgent need for mutual cooperation between all parties, including the agitators and port authorities, to safeguard trade and economic stability during the election period.

The letter warned that the entire port is on the verge of paralysis, affecting berthing and unloading of goods.

Chattogram Port handles 99 per cent of Bangladesh’s container trade and 78 per cent of its maritime commerce.

Any disruption, they said, could inflict ‘irreparable losses’ on major export sectors, including readymade garments, and trigger an artificial shortage of daily necessities and industrial raw materials ahead of Ramadan, potentially driving up commodity prices.

Importers are also facing mounting foreign currency losses due to demurrage charges caused by ship congestion and suspended operations, the letter said.

The trade bodies highlighted that the dispute over the NCT lease has intensified, with legal actions and investigations against protesters complicating efforts to reach a resolution.

They stressed that their collective interest lies in maintaining uninterrupted supply chains and economic activity, particularly in the critical days leading up to the elections, and requested the Chief Adviser’s direct intervention.

‘The demand of the time is to establish mutual cooperation for the greater interest of trade, business and economic stability,’ the associations said, appealing for swift, constructive action to avert further disruption.