Frequent strikes, blockades induce utter panic in public life
Syed Shemul Parvez :
Amid frequent strike and blockade programmes enforced by the main opposition party- the BNP-and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami since the BNP’s October 28 grand rally allegedly foiled by police actions and violence unleshed by the ruling Awami League, an utter panic and anxiety has started gripping the common people as well as business community.
Market sources said businessmen are not able to open establishments due to fear of burning.
Outside buyers are not coming to the wholesale markets of Dhaka.
In all, there is a lot of stagnant business activities in the last days for the countrywide BNP-Jamaat blockade.
This blockade also heavily disrupted the movement of essential products and import-export goods across the country.
In the wake of the awful situation, trade leaders warn that continuous hartals and blockades will further damage the economy and hurt consumers, as regular economic activities grind to a halt amid fear and uncertainty.
Talking to the wholesale market, local traders and sidewalk vendors of Old Dhaka, it is known that their sales or orders have decreased by more than 90 percent in some cases.
Even if the stores are opened with panic somewhere, the sales are very low.
There were sporadic incidents of setting fire to the different business establishments.
In this situation, they called upon the political parties to opt for peaceful programmes for the sake of the common people.
Besides, the common people are in a serious panicas they have been fighting with skyrocketed prices essentials for a long time .
Rony Ahmed, jobholder of a private company, told The New Nation that we have already become frustrated realizing the present blockade situation.
We don’t know yet what will be occurred next time.
During the last blockade days, we had to pay extra fare to reach our office and destination due to insufficient vehicles.
Another two day long blockade is upcoming from next Sunday.
So we are in serious panic, he said.
Narrating the bad impact of strikes, the FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam told the media, a strike or blockade causes a loss of Tk6500 crore a day.
So, we want political stability in the country.”
He said, “We do not want strike or blockade. Strikes or blockades are very harmful to the economy. We are very concerned about this.
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Saiful Islam said that the country’s economy is now facing a big challenge due to the Russia-Ukraine war after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In this situation, a strike or blockade will not bring good news for us.
We want a stable political environment,” he added.
On this issue, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hasan said that the image of Bangladesh has been tarnished due to the strikes and blockades.
Export orders are decreasing due to various reasons. Now, if the strike continues due to political instability, the country’s economy will enter the negative territory, he said.
It is to be noted that more than 4 thousand 283 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in seven days in connection with the mass rally.
In the last four days from the day of the mass meeting, more than 3 thousand 436 members of the party were injured and 10 more people including a journalist were killed.
