The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) has announced an indefinite, nationwide strike, ordering the closure of all mobile handset and gadget outlets across the country. This drastic measure follows the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) and a series of arrests involving traders following recent unrest at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters.
The strike, which commenced on Saturday, 3 January 2026, serves as a formal protest against what retailers describe as a “corporate-biased” regulatory environment. Shamim Molla, the Senior Vice-President of the MBCB, asserted that the NEIR system—a digital framework designed to verify the authenticity of handsets via a national database—has been introduced specifically to favour large-scale manufacturers and mobile network operators, effectively stifling the independent retail market.
Key Demands of the Mobile Business Community
| Category | Specific Requirement / Demand |
| Regulatory | Immediate suspension of the NEIR registration system. |
| Legal | Unconditional release of arrested traders and withdrawal of cases. |
| Fiscal | Reduction in VAT and import duty rates for mobile devices. |
| Trade Policy | Simplification of import procedures and removal of BTRC barriers. |
| Action Plan | Indefinite nationwide shop closures and sit-in protests. |
According to MBCB leadership, the traders’ grievances are multi-faceted. Prior to the current crisis, the community was already campaigning for a reduction in tax burdens and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the BTRC. However, the situation escalated significantly following the detention of several members of the trade. “Our movement for fairer import policies has now been overtaken by the urgent need to secure the release of our colleagues,” Mr Molla explained during a briefing on Saturday.
In addition to the shuttering of store fronts from Dhaka to the most remote districts, the MBCB has mobilised its members for a mass gathering and sit-in within the capital. In a strategic attempt to prevent a crackdown by law enforcement, the organisers have deliberately withheld the exact location of the protest. Mr Molla stated that the venue remains “confidential for security reasons” but promised a significant show of force by the business community.
The indefinite strike threatens to paralyse the domestic mobile market, which is a vital component of the country’s digital infrastructure. With retail operations at a standstill, consumers face immediate difficulties in purchasing new devices or obtaining technical support. The MBCB has made it clear that business will not resume until the BTRC addresses the “hostile” trade environment and ensures the safety of independent business owners.