A nationwide strike by customs officials brought Bangladesh’s largest port to a standstill on Sunday, severely disrupting trade flows and endangering the country’s vital garment industry.

The strike has shuttered operations at Chittagong Port, the main maritime gateway for the South Asian nation. Port officials confirmed that no containers were being loaded or unloaded, with typical daily handling of 7,000 to 8,000 containers now completely halted.

“This paralysis is severely impacting the country’s economy,” said Mohammed Omar Faruq, secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority.

As the world’s second-largest exporter of garments, Bangladesh relies heavily on textile and apparel shipments, which make up about 80% of its total exports. Industry leaders warned that the shutdown could be devastating.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, head of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, estimated losses at $222 million. “The economic fallout could be catastrophic. Some factories may not survive this disruption,” he warned.

The strike stems from a long-running dispute between employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the government over a proposed restructuring of the tax body into two separate entities. Customs staff have been staging intermittent walkouts for weeks, escalating the crisis.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, urged the striking staff to return to work, calling their actions “unlawful” and harmful to the national interest.

“If NBR staff do not return, the government will be forced to take strong action to protect the economy and the wellbeing of citizens,” his office stated.

On Sunday, NBR employees were barred from entering their offices under new government orders aimed at curbing protests on government premises.

Meanwhile, thirteen prominent business chambers joined the call for swift resolution. In a joint press conference on Saturday, they urged both parties to settle the dispute promptly to avoid further economic damage.

As the impasse continues, the stakes grow higher for Bangladesh’s economy — and the millions who depend on its garment sector for their livelihoods.