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According to foreign media reports, since the morning of October 21, due to the 48-hour strike action by Prime Mover trailer workers, container transportation in and out of Chittagong Port and yards in Bangladesh has been suspended.
Shippers and shipowners outside the terminals said that because of the strike, export containers could not be brought to the port for loading, while containers filled with import goods and empty ones could not be shipped out of the country's main seaport.
It is understood that the actions of the Prime Move trailer union in Chittagong Port Area will affect the port’s daily throughput of 3,000 to 4,000teu.
Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA), said that if the strike continues, containers will not be loaded in time and many containers will miss their designated ships.
Union president Selim Khan took direct aim at the region's two largest transport operators, Mohammadia Enterprise and Asif International, claiming they had reneged on various aspects of the agreement signed in April.
Selim Khan said that not only did these operators fail to ensure that employment letters and identity cards were provided, but they also failed to meet the minimum wage requirements set by the government.
He explained: “In April, the union and the company owners signed an agreement to implement these demands within 45 days, but the company owners have not implemented these demands, so we implemented a strike and did not have productive discussions before The strike will not be called off.
Many prime mover towing company owners have implemented these legal requirements, but those who are members of homeowners associations are taking their time doing so. "
Meanwhile, Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Van Truck Prime Engine Cargo Transport Owners Association, questioned the legality of the strike.
"There is no mention of appointment letters for goods transport drivers in the Road Transport Act, 2018. The union members are conducting the strike illegally," he claimed, adding that around 117 trailer trucks have stopped operating since October 6.
Chittagong, which has already seen cargo transportation disrupted for a variety of reasons this year, is expected to face delays as a result of the strike by tow truck workers.
Brazilian port strike crisis
In addition to Chittagong, Brazilian ports are also facing a general strike crisis. Local media Reconecta News reported that about 60,000 port workers in Brazil will hold a 12-hour strike on October 22.
The strike will last from 07:00 to 19:00 local time and will affect stevedoring and port labor in all Brazilian ports.
Reconecta said that at the port of Santos, Brazil's largest port, about 20,000 professionals will participate in the strike. Dockers belonging to three national federations have confirmed their participation in the strike.
It is reported that the reason for the strike is the recent introduction of a bill that eliminates the labor rights of temporary workers and dock workers and closes the public docks in Santos. The proposal will be formally submitted to the House of Representatives on October 23.
Spanish truck drivers strike
It is reported that Spain’s two largest unions, CCOO and UGT, announced on Monday that Spanish truck drivers plan to implement a series of strike actions starting from October 28, with the purpose of demanding earlier retirement and improved retirement conditions.
According to statements from representatives of the two major unions, if their demands are not met, the drivers will go on strike on the following dates: October 28, November 11, November 28, November 29, December 5 day and December 9th.
And, from December 23, an indefinite strike is planned.
The union's demands aim to improve drivers' working conditions, with a particular focus on the retirement age (currently set at 67) and partial retirement rights, with the expectation that these conditions will be brought into line with those in other high-risk jobs.
There are about 250,000 salaried truck drivers in Spain, but unions expect owner-operated drivers to also join the strike, which could increase the number to 500,000. Overall, 70% of employees in the industry are represented by UGT or CCOO.
Last year, a month-long truckers' strike nearly brought Spain's supply chains to a standstill, leading to food shortages, rising inflation and a hit to economic growth.
If the union launches another strike, it is likely to have a serious impact on Spain's supply chain and economy.
We would like to remind cargo owners and freight forwarders who have recently shipped goods to the above-mentioned areas to pay attention to local developments, understand cargo node information, and adjust subsequent transportation plans in a timely manner.
