Private off-docks go on undeclared strike, export sector worries

After failing to collect their expected excise and duties, private off-docks have opted for an undeclared strike from Thursday. As part of the programme, they will refrain from handling export containers and empty containers.

Those concerned worry that the export sector in the country will face losses due to the undeclared strike.

The “Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association” (BICDA) said that they did not call for a strike, but the depot owners said there would be no container handling.

There are 19 private container depots under BICDA in Chattogram engaged in operational activities.

The containers are sent to the Chittagong Port after loading export-oriented goods into them at the depots. Containers of 65 types carrying imported goods are also unloaded at the depot after bringing them in from the port. They also handle empty containers.

BICDA General Secretary Ruhul Amin Shikdar said, “We have been handling containers with excise and duties at the same level for the last 13 years. The owners now say that they will halt the work as the payment isn’t enough for their operating costs. They will not run the depots while bearing financial losses, they say.”

The depots will not handle export containers and empty containers from 6am on Thursday, he said. However, this same issue is not applicable for import containers.

Before the new port tariffs were imposed, depots announced increases in container staffing, ground rent, lift off-lift on, documentation, and transportation charges for vehicles from the port to the off-dock. However, port users raised objections against it.

Later, the off-docks halted charging the increased excise and duties following a writ petition filed by a businessman.

The ready-made garment owners’ organisations BGMEA and BKMEA, shipping agents or freight forwarders were not informed in advance about the closure of operations at the depot.

Former BGMEA vice president SM Abu Tayeb said, “This decision will harm the readymade garment sector the most. They made the decision without talking to us. The High Court has issued an order in this regard, which they did not abide by.”

Khairul Alam Sujan, director of the Shipping Agents Association, said, “Although there was a stay order from the court, we could reach a decision by discussing it together. But the depot owners didn’t opt for it and announced the closure.”

He claimed the decision would harm businesses. “Different important consignments of the readymade garment sector are stuck. Failing to deliver them before Christmas and New Year will tarnish our image.”