- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
- Cyclone Chido death toll rises to 94 in Mozambique
Internet blackout paints dark picture for Bangladesh call centres
Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis work in outsourcing firms and the industry generates billions every year, but executives fear the internet shutdown imposed by authorities seeking to quell anti-government protests threatens its entire existence.
Packed into tiny desks in cramped office spaces, ranks of workers provide international clients with support services in the form of live voice and text chat, back office support, email support, invoicing, online store management, image processing and more.
The industry, known as business process outsourcing (BPO), generates estimated annual revenues of two billion dollars in Bangladesh.
But it now faces the threat of closures and redundancies, after authorities imposed an internet shutdown Thursday to quell protests against employment quotas that have spiralled into deadly unrest.
"When a five-minute delay is not acceptable in this line of work, a total blackout is nothing short of a disaster," said Fahim Mashroor, tech entrepreneur and former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services.
He is CEO of Bdjobs.com, which provides services to clients from 13 countries, including German sportswear maker Puma and Swedish fashion brand Ellos.
"All of our communication is done through email and when internet was disconnected suddenly, we couldn't let the client know about our situation."
The government announced broadband internet would be restored Tuesday evening, but executives believe it is already too late.
BPO groups say the industry has been losing $7 million a day since the internet shutdown began, and Bangladeshi companies believe regional rivals in India, the Philippines and Vietnam will be hoovering up their clients.
"It took us 10 years to build a clientele of 150 and I fear I lost all of them in a few days," said Monir Hosen, managing director of call centre firm Creative Clipping Path, which employs around 300 people.
"Bangladesh's reputation will be permanently damaged for the clients," he said.
BPO firm ASL employs 200 staff and provides 24/7 back-office support to two major clients in the EU.
But founder and CEO Zayed Uddin Ahmed fears he may soon have to close down and dismiss his workers.
Many international clients demand uninterrupted service for real-time communication, feedback and payment processing, he said.
"They are reliant on us 24 hours a day and if we don't provide what they need, they will divert the orders to our neighbouring and competitor countries," he said.
"The extent of losses is immeasurable for us."
- 'My family will be destitute' -
One trainer at his company, Jannati Tazrimin, said she and others feared for their jobs.
"Since we work on a project basis, everyone in my project would lose their job if the client cancels the contract with us because of the blackout," she said.
"Not only me -- the anxiety of losing their jobs has gripped my entire team.
"I want to get back to work. I need it desperately. But for that, I want internet service back immediately," she added.
The situation for Humayun Kabir, a production manager of Creative Clipping Path, is worse than at any time during his 11 years in the industry.
Even during the Covid pandemic, he did not fear unemployment.
"But for the first time, I am afraid of losing my job," the father of two said.
The firm's customers expect timely delivery of processed images so that they can upload them to e-commerce sites.
"Somalia and Nigeria have already emerged as tough competitors offering lower rates," Kabir told AFP, adding that losing clients to them could lead to he and his colleagues being laid off.
"At mid-career, I will not be able to change my profession," the 36-year-old added.
"My family will be destitute."
str-es-s/slb/dhw
P.Santos--AMWN