Over 400 containers stuck at Ctg ICD as workers strike

More than 400 containers of export goods, mostly readymade garments, remain stuck at KDS Logistics, a private inland container depot (ICD) in Chattogram, as its transport workers had been on strike since 30 September.

The strike was lifted on Monday evening.

Around 400 transport workers recruited from Allied Express Shipping went on strike demanding appointment letters from KDS Logistics.

They said they had been given appointment letters of Allied Express Shipping, but KDS Logistics is not affiliated with the company.

But Ahsanul Kabir, executive director of KDS Logistics, said Allied Express Shipping is part of KDS Group and a sister concern of KDS Logistics.

The containers could not be sent to Chattogram port for shipment due to the strike, he said.

He also said imported goods could not be transported to the ICD either for the same reason.

Nineteen private ICDs deal with all the goods exported through Chattogram port and some imported items, customs clearance, and other related processes.

KDS Logistics is one of the major ICDs overseeing a significant part of garment exports.

Due to the strike, nine containers on Thursday, 123 on Friday, 129 on Saturday, and 150 on Sunday – most of which contain apparels – could not be transported to the port.

There is growing concern among garment exporters that they will not be able to ship their goods on time, ‍said Syed Nazrul Islam, first vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

He said Inditex has lots of products stuck at KDS Logistics and sought the BGMEA’s help to end the standstill. “The situation will have a negative impact on foreign buyers.”

As the containers were not transported to the port, some ships sailed without carrying those.

Shipping agents said MV SOL Bangladesh had sailed without 31 containers, and MV Haian Mind without 69, on Monday.

“Transport workers created a serious situation by not transporting the containers to the port. They should take steps to resolve the situation without disrupting exports,” said Muntasir Rubayat, assistant vice-president of GBX Logistics, the shipping agent of MV SOL Bangladesh and MV SOL HIND.

“In addition to garment exporters, vessel operators and shipping lines will also incur huge losses due to the strike,” said Muntasir, also the director of Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association.

The associations of transport and other workers in Chattogram expressed solidarity with the KDS workers, saying they would stand by them until the demands were met.

Mohammad Mainuddin, general secretary of Chattogram Prime Movers and Trailers Workers Union, said the KDS workers’ demand is very logical, but the ICD authorities do not agree.

“The workers are demanding they be given appointment letters by the organisation they are working at. This is the normal rule,” he said.

“But they have been given appointment letters of another organisation. Because of this, there is a risk that workers’ rights will be violated,” he added.