Violent protests in Bangladesh have led to the government ordering all offices, factories, and institutions to stay closed for two days, significantly impacting supply chains in the region.
The unrest began five days ago after student-led protests against government job quotas resulted in at least 114 deaths. In response, the government imposed a curfew, which is still in effect, and declared the last few days as holidays. To limit protest organisation, the government also shut down the internet. Consequently, all offices, factories, and Container Freight Stations (CFS) are closed, and communication is challenging without internet access. We, therefore, expect delays in cargo departures this week.
Government Job Quotas Driving Protests
Nationwide unrest erupted following a High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruling that restored quotas in government jobs, including a 30% allocation for descendants of those who fought in the 1971 war for independence. Students argue that this quota unfairly benefits government supporters, fueling their anger. The protests, also driven by high youth unemployment affecting nearly 20% of the population, have led to severe disruptions.
Implications on Supply Chains
The government-imposed curfew and internet outage have isolated the nation and brought operations to a standstill. This disruption has affected online systems and platforms, impacting all supply chain operations. Movement restrictions due to the curfew have caused manpower and resource shortages across businesses. The port is operating with minimal staff, and its online systems are down, preventing new processing or approval updates. Customs systems are down, halting air cargo movements until internet services are restored. Curfew strictness has limited truck availability and manpower, reducing Container Freight Stations (CFS) capacity.
Impact on PFE Customers’ Shipments
We expect delays for cargo departing from Bangladesh for the remainder of this week. While we cannot predict future developments, we are taking proactive steps to minimise disruptions. We are monitoring the situation continually and seeking solutions to mitigate disruptions. Regular updates will be provided to keep you informed.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your shipment, please contact our Customer Service Team at 01376 533039.
