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Business leaders call for nat'l referendum on hartal

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) yesterday called for a national referendum on hartal.
The apex body of country's trade and commerce at a meeting on current political situation lauded the government for cracking down
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on militant groups alleged to be involved in bomb attacks and other subversive activities.
Representatives of the business community, which bore the brunt of eight hartals in last one month, sought immediate commitment from all political parties that they would not resort to hartal whether in power or in opposition.
As an alternative to hartal, the FBCCI resolution recommended that the opposition should be allocated an hour a week in the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) to express its stance and opinions to the public.
Describing unemployment as the main national problem, they said that if hartal continues there would be a slowdown in investment growth as well as job market.
The leaders of industry and commerce urged the government to conduct independent and thorough investigations into the bomb and grenade attacks and arms haul incidents. They demanded the probe reports be made public.
Besides, they asked the government to stop mass arrest before hartal. If the political parties fail to reach a consensus against hartal, the business community will hold anti-hartal rallies across the country.
They called on the government to immediately open dialogue with the opposition parties to bring an end to the confrontational politics. FBCCI assigned its President
Abdul Awal Mintoo to talk with the political parties to bring them at the negotiating table.
FBCCI asked the government to help the Anti-Corruption Commission to work independently. They also asked for immediate initiatives to make parliament fully functional with the participation of the opposition lawmakers.
Apart from FBCCI president, vice-presidents and directors, leaders of its associated trade bodies viz. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association attended the meeting.