DHAKA, Sep 21, 2021 (BSS) - Apparel exporters expressed worry over a three-day strike called by Bangladesh Covered-Van Truck Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association and Bangladesh Truck Drivers, Workers Federation.

   A delegation of BGMEA, led by Acting President SM Mannan (Kochi), met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at his residence on Monday night and requested him for taking steps to resolve the problem, taking the interests of the industry into consideration.

   The BGMEA delegation included Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin and Director Md. Khosru Chowdhury, said a press release.

   The BGMEA leaders said retail sales are growing in the RMG major export markets as stores are opening following mass vaccination there, and Bangladesh is getting a lot of work orders as a result.

   The issue of lead time is very import for the export-oriented RMG industry where every hour counts since manufacturers have to make shipment of products within the lead time as specified by buyers.

   So any strike at this moment will severely affect the industry.

   The BGMEA leaders urged the Home Minister to take steps keeping the transportation of export-import goods by road smooth and normal. The Home Minister assured the delegation of addressing the problem through discussion with the leaders of transport associations.

   The BGMEA delegation said many buyers are demanding air shipment of products to make the delivery quicker as demand is rising sharply in their stores. Increased demand for air shipment has led to cargo congestion at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

   But, lack of sufficient number of scanning machines at the airport causes delay in air shipment. Moreover, one of the existing two explosive detection systems (EDS) often remains out of service due to proper maintenance.

   So, buyers ask to have exported cargoes scanned at Kolkata airport due to lack of sufficient number of scanning machines, which results in cost rise and is not good for Bangladesh's image.

   The BGMEA leaders urged the Home Minister to take steps for increasing the number of EDS at the airport and regularly carrying out maintenance of them.

   The home minister assured them of addressing the issue.