Leaders of the Real Estate and Hosing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), a trade union of real estate agents, and the Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex body of all trade unions, threatened to jointly announce a tougher movement if the countrywide political violence was not stopped immediately.
The leaders came up with the threat while addressing a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.
Expressing grave concern over the non-stop political shutdowns and blockades enforced by the BNP-led 18-party alliance, the leaders said business across the country was being hampered by the ongoing political unrest.
“The FBCCI has taken a decision to form a human chain, holding white flags in front of the organisation’s headquarters in the city’s Karwan Bazar area. Honoring the activities of FBCCI, the REHAB will also stage a demonstration on December 15 in front of REHAB headquarters on Sonargaon road in the city.” said Md Wahiduzzaman, general secretary of REHAB.
“Real estate companies at large are facing hard times as sales of plots and flats are now in decline,” he said.
The absence of political stability is discouraging buyers from buying products from the country, said Wahiduzzaman - adding that real estate agents have lost interest in further investment.
“REHAB will not hold a winter fair, which it has been arranging for the last few years, due to the political unrest,” he added.
REHAB Senior Vice-President Mokarram Hossain Khan said: “There are about 20,000 flats ready to sell. Total investment in the flats is about Tk610 crores. But buyers have yet to come and purchase these flats. The amount of buyers has been reduced by at least 50%.”
Vice-President of the FBCCI Helal Uddin said: “Still the violence has not lessened. In this situation our backs are up against the wall. So now we are demanding a stop to the political agitation and violence.”
Senior Vice-President of REHAB Mokarram Hossain was present at the press conference.