Container Operators Postpone Strike: Huge loss for businesses

The strike by the owners and workers of prime movers and trailers was postponed yesterday but it has already caused the export and import industries a huge loss.

Although it is too early to figure out the exact amount of the loss, exporters, importers, vessel operators and private inland container depots, among others, have to face it manifold.

Abu Bakar Siddique, member secretary of Prime Mover Trailer Malik Sramik Oikya Parishad, said they postponed the indefinite strike until October 4 following a meeting with Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury around 12:30pm.

The parishad had gone on an indefinite strike on September 26, protesting harassment by the staff of the Road Transport and Highways Division on Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

Siddique said the CMP commissioner assured them of allowing a 14-wheel prime mover to carry maximum 42 tonnes of weight on highways till October 4.

An inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled to be held on that day to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, three more vessels -- MV Saigon Bridge, Hansa Castella and MV Smiley Lady -- left the Chittagong Port yesterday, without taking in 1,875 TEUs (twenty equivalent units) of export containers, said port sources.