Huge losses are being reported by owners of silk handlooms makers in different villages of Sadar and Shibganj districts of Bangladesh due to the ongoing blockade enforced by BNP-led alliance since January 6. This has resulted in temporary joblessness for hundreds of handloom workers. An owner from Laharpur village in Sadar has stated that his business had virtually stopped due to the blockade and he suspended production. Over 250 other handlooms at the village also stopped weaving. Owners who have taken loans from banks and NGOs are now worried about timely payments.

Workers, who usually earn Tk 250 to 300 a day for weaving silk, have reported difficulties in running day to day life due to the country-wide blockade. Around 2,500 weavers work at as many handlooms in the district, said an office-bearer of the Baroghoria union weavers association. Elaborating further, he said that wholesalers from different places cannot come to the district for buying clothes including saris, scarves, shirt, kurta pieces, and curtains due to the blockade. Weavers cannot send the items either.