“LPG traders call off strike”

The LPG Traders’ Cooperative Society Limited has announced the suspension of its indefinite nationwide strike, which had brought the marketing and supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to a standstill across Bangladesh.

The decision was revealed today, Thursday, by the Society’s President, Mr. Md. Selim Khan, following a meeting at the offices of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). Mr. Khan spoke to reporters after the discussions, emphasising that the strike would be withdrawn with immediate effect.

During the meeting, the LPG traders put forward three principal demands:

An end to the ongoing administrative inspections across the country.

An increase in the charges allowed for distributors and retail sellers.

Assurance of uninterrupted LPG supply to the market.

BERC Chairman, Mr. Jalal Ahmed, reassured attendees that the commission would liaise with the relevant authorities regarding the inspections and explore legal avenues to facilitate a price increase for distributors.

He further stated that, despite the ongoing shipping crisis, LPG operators had arranged alternative measures to secure imports. “As a result,” he noted, “the supply situation is expected to ease somewhat within the coming week.”

However, Mr. Selim Khan pointed out the persistent challenge for traders, explaining that they are required to purchase a 12-kilogram cylinder at more than BDT 1,300. Consequently, selling it below BDT 1,500 is commercially unfeasible.

Chairman Jalal Ahmed, meanwhile, contended that there was no justification for selling LPG at a price exceeding BDT 1,306—the official rate set for January.

The strike had been initially declared on Wednesday morning, with the cooperative warning that, unless their demands were met, the supply and sale of LPG cylinders nationwide would remain suspended. The society is the primary seller of LPG cylinders in the Bangladeshi market.

Reports from early today indicated that the strike had halted LPG cylinder sales in Dhaka, Gazipur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. In other districts, sales have continued, albeit at reduced volumes.

The resolution of this strike provides a temporary reprieve for households and businesses dependent on LPG, though both traders and regulators continue to navigate the delicate balance between operational costs and consumer affordability.