Apparel leaders urge govt to keep Chattogram Port operational 24 hours a day

Apparel sector leaders on Wednesday urged the interim government to ensure that Chattogram port remains operational 24 hours a day to facilitate smooth export-import activities.

They warned that, otherwise, factory owners would not take responsibility for workers' payments ahead of Eid.

"Chattogram port is not functioning while Eid is approaching. We cannot import or export. Raw materials from China are arriving at Chattogram port within 14 days, while it takes 18 days for goods to reach Dhaka from the port," said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) former president Quazi Moniruzzaman.

"So how do they do business if Chattogram port is not open 24 hours?" he said, warning that the owners will not take responsibility for the payment of wages and allowances to garment workers.

He said that the interim government might have many issues to address or reform.

"But not by putting us in graves or destroying the industry," he said while speaking at the announcement of the election manifesto of Sammilita Parishad, a panel contesting the BGMEA election to be held on May 31 for the term 2025–27, held in a city hotel.

Stressing the need for the port to be functional 24 hours a day, he said import and export activities should continue; otherwise, industry owners cannot take responsibility for paying garment workers before Eid.

"If we cannot export, and containers remain on the road, where do we get the money to pay the workers?" he questioned.

Meanwhile, the decision to abolish the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has sparked strong reactions within the revenue administration, as officials have been observing a pen-down strike program since last week, causing disruptions in import and export activities.

Mr. Moniruzzaman further said cars and houses of garment industry owners are being sold to clear workers' wages, which is very sad, painful, and also shameful.
"We want to get rid of such shame," he said, adding that this is why they have long been demanding a safe exit policy for such industry owners.

Ministry of Labor and Employment adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain said last night that workers' dues would be paid shortly by selling the land, houses, factories, and other immovable properties owned by TNZ Group and Mahmud Group, after workers demonstrated at the Kakrail Mosque intersection demanding their due wages on Tuesday.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com