Ctg port workers postpone strike

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

Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, one of the coordinators of the Chittagong Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad, announced the decision around 12:30 am on Monday, February 9.

The decision came after the government assured that the lease agreement would not be signed during the interim government’s tenure. 

Meanwhile, the port authorities have suspended 17 striking workers, including three who were taken into custody.

Besides, the authorities have ordered the handover of government-allocated housing for 15 union leaders.

The port workers started the indefinite strike from Sunday morning, February 8, demanding the cancellation of the planned DP World lease for NCT and raising three other demands.

Later, Ashik Chowdhury, CEO of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) authority and the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced that the interim government would not sign any lease agreement with DP World during its tenure.

Considering the continuity of import-export trade, the upcoming Ramadan and the national elections, the Chittagong Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad decided to suspend the strike, said its leaders.

Source: UNB