When the economy is going through a crisis, BNPs ongoing political programmes like blockade and hartal are affecting people’s livelihood badly across the country.
Country’s apex trade body Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry expressed deep concern over the business, trade, and economic situation amid current political tension. Political unrest like blockade and hartal costs Tk6500cr a day. The business community urged the political parties to protect the domestic economy and reduce the suffering of the people. They also called for the avoidance of any intolerant political programmes like strikes and blockade that harm the economy.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have had a long-term negative impact on the global economy. It has also affected the economy of Bangladesh.
After tackling these odds, the government’s bold action has brought the country’s economy back on track. People from various professions returned to their respective workplaces while schoolchildren and university students are back to class physically. As all factories, industries, mills, offices, hotels, motels, restaurants, tourist spots, shopping malls and all other business activities are running now in full speed, country sees strong economic growth. But the latest political event like blockades, hartal in the country are pushing the national economy towards more hurdles. Economists have sounded the alarm that if these destructive political events are not stopped immediately, they could lead to deepen the financial hardship further.
People especially low income group and poor are bearing the brunt. But when the economy has started turning around, BNP’s hartal, blockades and violence are adding salts to wounds.
The strike or blockade called by different political parties is severely disrupting the supply chain. This is already having an impact on the market price of the products and also on exports.
Moreover, hartal, blockade programme will send negative message about Bangladesh abroad. As a result, foreigners will lose interest in investing in Bangladesh.
Not only that, if the political unrest continues, the amount of defaulted loans will increase and employment opportunities will be blocked. Therefore, political parties should exercise restraint, shun violence and work together to create the conditions to make sure the wheels of the country’s economy run smoothly.