Local stone traders have enforced a blockade of waterways in Chhatak of Sunamganj, halting the operations of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Ltd.
The Chhatak Limestone Association under the banner of ‘Bebsayee Sramik Oikko Parishad’ enforced the blockade, demanding stoppage of the company’s legitimate business of aggregates, local sources found.
Two workers were injured as some miscreants vandalised a bulkhead while loading goods of the company near its Chhatak Plant, the source claimed.
The association has been opposing the business since its inception to fulfil the vested interest and observed blockades and strikes on three different dates in October.
The company had to stop its Chhatak Plant’s operations for those days to avoid any unwarranted situation.
According to the statement, LafargeHolcim has obtained the required approvals from all the authorities concerned, including NOC from the Ministry of Industries and the court’s judgment in favour of the business of aggregates which is an import substitution product. The company is saving significant amounts of foreign currencies by producing aggregates locally.
The company is losing revenue and facing disruption in the operation process due to these illegal strikes and blockades. This is also resulting in lesser revenue in the government exchequer, sources said.
LafargeHolcim Bangladesh has invested approximately $500 million to set up an integrated cement plant in Chhatak and three grinding stations in Narayanganj and Mongla. It is also listed in both Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges of the country.
