Benapole: The loading and unloading of heavy goods remained suspended at Benapole land port for the third consecutive day after workers went on strike demanding outstanding wages of five months.

Importers said they were facing huge loss as most machinery and goods for factories, industries and garments are imported and exported through this port, reports the UNB.

Businessmen accused the Benapole authorities of not doing enough to resolve the crisis. Hundreds of consignments are stuck at the port even after paying government tariffs, said Nuruzzaman, senior vice president of Benapole C&F Agents Association.

‘The port authorities must take responsibility for this situation,’ he said.

But Benapole Land Port Director (traffic) Prodosh Kanti Das blamed the contractor for the latest development, blaming SIS Logistical System of ‘willfully abstaining from loading and unloading all goods’ at the equipment site.

What triggered the strike?

The workers, employed by SIS, are not getting paid since July this year.

SIS became the port’s cargo operator after signing a five-year agreement with the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) on March 21, 2010. But after the term’s expiration, the BLPA floated tender for appointing a new contractor.

However, SIS moved the High Court and had the tender process halted, prompting BLPA to decide not to pay the company until the petition is disposed of.

SIS has since been paying the workers out of its pocket until July.

‘Going five months without pay forced the workers to go on strike,’ said Sultan Ahmmed Babu, the Benapole representative of the company.