Workers at Chittagong Port have announced an indefinite work stoppage to protest the decision to lease the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based operator DP World.
Md Ibrahim Khokan, coordinator of the Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council, who was transferred from the port on January 31, announced this on Tuesday, February 3.
The strike will continue until the government backtracts from the NCT lease process, the council's another coordinator, Md Humayun Kabir, said, adding that all-level employees spontaneously responded to the call.
As a result, delivery of imported goods from the port, container handling, and the movement of goods-laden vehicles in the port were suspended; however, unloading goods from small vessels at the outer anchorage remained normal.
Earlier, workers observed an eight-hour work stoppage every day, commencing on Saturday, January 31, and began a 24-hour work abstention from 8:00 am today.
The port users expressed their concern over the deadlock.
The authorities at Chittagong Port have already transferred 16 individuals, including the Port Protection Struggle Council coordinator, for their involvement in the movement.
MDIH/MSU