Ctg port workers postpone strike for two days

Workers at Chittagong Port have postponed their indefinite work abstention enforced to protest the decision to lease the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based operator DP World.

They announced this after a meeting with Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain at Chittagong Boat Club on Thursday, February 5.

At the meeting, the workers presented several demands, including the resignation of the port chairman, withdrawal of punishment given to 16 employees, not signing any agreement that goes against port interests, and not allowing DP World to operate in Bangladesh.

In response, the adviser said he is not an authorised person to make a decision in this regard; rather, the government will decide.

The government is looking into the matter; however, no step will be taken against the country's interests, he said.

The adviser also warned that the government will strictly deal with any programme over the issue from Friday, February 6.

Later, the protesters postponed their strike for two days, and threatened to continue their programme from Sunday, February 8, if the government does not change its decision and withdraw punitive action taken against the employees.

"The Shipping Adviser told us that he will inform the government about our demands and will suspend the punitive transfer order of protesting workers and employees,” said Md Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Chittagong Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad.

“After his assurance, we postponed our work abstention for two days," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, February 3, workers at Chittagong Port announced an indefinite work stoppage to protest the decision to lease the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal to UAE-based operator DP World.

They observed an eight-hour work stoppage every day, commencing on January 31, and began a 24-hour work abstention from 8:00 am today.

The authorities at the port transferred 16 individuals for their involvement in the movement.

MDIH/MSU/NMA