Ctg port paralysed as workers halt work

Chittagong Port has come to a standstill as Prime Mover and C&F (Clearing and Forwarding) workers began a work stoppage on Sunday morning, suspending all types of cargo and container movement.

The protest was prompted by an increase in gate pass fees for cargo vehicles under the new tariff schedule. The Prime Mover, Trailer Owners, and C&F Agents’ Employees Union announced the programme, while the Inter-District Truck Owners Association also declared a similar protest. The C&F employees’ work stoppage was scheduled to continue until 1:00 pm.

The protest has caused paralysis of port operations. A meeting with the concerned authorities and the port chairman was scheduled for noon. 

Sources said heavy vehicle entry fees at the country’s main seaport were increased from Tk 57 to Tk 230, prompting trailer owners to halt container transport. These privately-owned trailers usually carry containers on inter-district routes. However, some trailers are still operating sporadically from different depots and off-docks.

Mohammad Hossain, General Secretary of the Chittagong Prime Mover and Flatbed Owners Association, said the stoppage is not a strike, but owners have halted operations due to the gate pass fee hike.

Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, General Secretary of the Chittagong Customs Agents Employees Association, said C&F owners and workers were observing a four-hour work stoppage at Chittagong Port starting at 9:00 am.

Port users have expressed concern over the stoppage of trailers, inter-district cargo trucks, and C&F employees, fearing that prolonged disruption could lead to a complete operational shutdown. They urged all stakeholders to hold discussions and coordinate to ease tensions over the new tariff.

On Saturday, the Port Users Forum organised a protest meeting against unreasonable and excessive tariff increases, warning that if the tariff issues are not resolved within a week, Chittagong Port could be shut down. The forum’s president, Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, issued the warning.

A site visit revealed that all port gates were closed, with no vehicles entering. Unlike usual days, there were no trucks or covered vans queued at the port gates.

Mohammad Selim, a jetty sarkar sitting at Gate 5, told Jago News, “I have been working at the port for 35 years. Initially, gate passes cost 50 poisha, then gradually increased to Tk 10. Now, suddenly, it has been raised to Tk 115. That is why we are observing a work stoppage. No cargo is being cleared, and no shipments are being processed.”

Mobarak Ali, Sports and Culture Secretary of the C&F Agents Employees Union, told Jago News, “We started the work stoppage due to the increase in gate pass fees, although we are involved in all revenue collection. The port authorities should waive the gate pass fees entirely. Raising it to Tk 115 is unreasonable.”

Port Secretary Md Omar Faruk told Jago News that while trailers and cargo trucks are facing obstacles at various points, handling and operational activities at the port remain normal.