Boycott is not a solution

Adv. Md. Mizanur Rahman :
One of the most commonly used words nowadays, from social media to tea shops, is ‘boycott’.

Generally, a boycott means socially severing ties with someone or ostracizing them.

More specifically, it refers to abstaining from using certain products or services as a form of protest or expressing hatred towards something by rejecting it.

The term ‘boycott’ was first added to the English dictionary after Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English gentleman, who was socially ostracized by the tenant farmers of Mayo County, Ireland, due to his actions.

Although the use of the word ‘boycott’ was not very common initially, its application has become excessive in recent times. Particularly, the term ‘boycott’ is now used as a political tool rather than for social or economic purposes.

In recent years, we have heard about various boycotts in Bangladesh for multiple reasons. Calls to boycott France, Italy, India, Pakistan, Aarong, and Chinese products have become almost routine. Very few people actually understand the detailed concept of a boycott or its positive and negative impacts.

Since we live in an era of globalization, it is natural for us to rely on other countries for various reasons. Very few countries in the world are self-sufficient and not dependent on others. Even the so-called developed countries also rely on others for various reasons. Basically, this is the beauty of globalization.

However, for a country like ours, which still struggles to stand on its own feet, calling for boycotts of specific countries, companies, or products is nothing but a luxury. According to a report by Bangladesh Bank, about 14 million or 1.4 crore dollars’ worth of goods are imported from India each year.

Approximately 2.5 million Bangladeshis travel to India annually for medical treatment. France is one of the largest importers of our garments, frozen foods, spices, handicrafts, and jute products. Italy is another significant market for our garment industry.

Therefore, it is evident that we need to maintain good relations with everyone, as our export volume is minimal and several large development projects are ongoing. Our foreign policy’s core principle is to maintain friendly relations with all, without animosity.

For the last couple of months, there has been a call on social media to boycott the multinational company Coca-Cola. I am neither in favor nor against of Coca-Cola, but one thing that surprises me is that Coca-Cola has been doing business in Bangladesh and this subcontinent for over 40 years.

They have factories all over the world. No country, not even a Muslim state, has made any derogatory comments against them, so why is there a call to boycott Coca-Cola only from our country?

According to the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, this multinational company has invested approximately 1,700 crore taka in Bangladesh in the past five years alone. About 79,000 people are employed by Coca-Cola. Another large company like Coca-Cola is Pran-RFL. Very few people in our country have not consumed the products of this company.

I do not know whether anyone has considered the macroeconomic impacts of the propaganda, that are being spread about boycotting Coca-Cola or Pran-RFL? Suppose Coca-Cola halts its production and decides to leave Bangladesh due to this so called boycott; but ultimately who will be benefitted from their departure? I am 100% confident that our economy will face significant losses due to their departure.

The government will lose a substantial amount of revenue that is currently collected annually from Coca-Cola. The 79,000 employees of this company will become unemployed.

A few years ago, there was similar propaganda to boycott another soft drink, Pepsi, on social media. It was claimed that Pepsi stands for ‘Pay Each Penny to Save Israel,’ but I do not know if this is true. There is no such name for Pepsi found on the internet either. This means it was nothing but false criticism.

One thing we all should know clearly is that multinational companies are not like our domestic companies. Unnecessarily criticizing against these companies is like cutting off our own legs.

When a multinational company invests in another country, it is a very positive aspect for that country’s reputation. Conversely, when such a company leaves due to instability, it is extremely disgraceful for that country’s reputation.

The significant amount of foreign investment by multinational companies in our EPZs would surely be affected if false propaganda about boycotts continues.
It is crystal clear that the intentions of the spreading of such propaganda are not good. Spreading false news is not a new practice. It was done in the past, is being done now, and will likely continue in the future.

The main goal of these malicious groups is to put the country and the government in embarrassing situations. Bangladesh will attain the status of a developing country in 2026, and naturally, many of our exportable products, which are currently enjoying duty-free access, will face threats.
We all need to remember that there is no place for emotions in the era of globalization. We need to be more practical.

We need to advance in knowledge and science to the point where we no longer need to import new products, and our own products are of better quality than those produced by multinational companies.

Until we can bring about such fundamental changes within ourselves and establish a strong global presence, propaganda like boycotts will not work. Instead, we will increasingly isolate ourselves from the world, causing long-term damage to our country. Peaceful dialogue and discussion are the ways to resolve all issues and disagreements.

Therefore, before writing or sharing anything on social media about a country, organization, or specific product, we should consider how it will contribute to our national interest.

The author is Advocate, District and Session Judges Court, Cumilla
Associate Member, The Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB)