‘Allow us to open shops in limited scale’
Traders in Chattogram should be allowed to open their shops in a limited scale amid the coronavirus pandemic so that they can survive, said their leaders yesterday.
The demand was raised during a press conference at Chattogram Press Club.
Addressing the event, Mohammad Abu Taleb, president of Tamakumundi Lane Bonik Samity, said, "More than three lakh small and big traders of several markets -- including Teri Bazar, New Market, Tamakumundi, Chawk Bazar and Riazuddin Bazar -- have lost their business capital."
He said traders have been incurring irreparable loss due to the "lockdown" caused by Covid-19. Most of them restarted their business with loans to recover last year's loss, he added.
Mimi Super Traders Association president Jagir Hossain said, "A large number of traders have stockpiled goods in their stores ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Thousands will incur huge losses if the 'lockdown' will continue. In this circumstance, we demand that shops of all kinds of goods be opened in a limited scale and in compliance with the hygiene rules."
The business leaders urged the government to let them open their shops from April 22. They also sought loans on easy terms to pay the salaries and allowances of their employees, vaccination of shop owners and their staff members, and reduction of various government fees.
Biponi Bitan Marchant Welfare Association president Sagir Hossain and Sanmar Osan City Market Association president Jamal Uddin were present on the occasion.
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