Conspiracy to destabilise Ctg port underway, say labour leaders

Leaders of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) have alleged that a conspiracy is underway to destabilise Chattogram Port, the country's key maritime gateway, amid conflicting government decisions regarding the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).

The accusations were made during a large workers' rally held at the port's main gate today (30 June) morning, demanding an immediate halt to what they termed a plot to lease the NCT to a foreign company. The rally was presided over by AM Nazim Uddin, divisional president of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, and conducted by SKOP joint convener Zahed Uddin Shahin.

Speakers at the event included Tapan Dutta, president of the Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram and a member of the Labour Reform Commission; Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, former general secretary of Port CBA and current divisional general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal; SK Khoda Toton, president of Bangladesh Labour Federation; Mohin Uddin of the Socialist Workers' Front; Rabiul Haque Shimul, organising secretary of BLF; KM Shahidullah, general secretary of BFTUC; and other labour leaders including Ibrahim Khokon, Taslim Hossain Selim, and Alomgir Hossain Saju.

The leaders criticised the recent inconsistent statements and decisions made by the government and port authorities regarding the future of NCT. "Within just ten days, three different announcements were made—first, a three-month extension of the contract with Saif Powertech; then that the port authority would manage NCT for the next six months; and finally, that the Navy might take over operations," said Tapan Dutta. "This flip-flopping indicates a lack of clear policy and raises serious concerns about intentions to destabilise port operations."

Calling for rational, transparent, and national-interest-focused decisions, the labour leaders urged the government and the port authority to refrain from measures that could jeopardise the stability and efficiency of Chattogram Port.

The speakers strongly criticised the government's decision to lease NCT—a fully state-funded, technologically advanced, and highly efficient terminal—to Dubai-based multinational company DP World. "Chattogram Port is the main gateway of our economy. Handing over NCT to a foreign operator is against the national interest and a suicidal move," AM Nazim Uddin said.

They also condemned the continuation of a decision originally taken during a previous autocratic regime, calling it "deeply unfortunate" and demanding its immediate cancellation.

The rally concluded with announcements of two major upcoming events: a consultation meeting with the central SKOP leadership on July 5, and a workers' convention on July 12. The leaders called upon all workers, employees, and patriotic citizens to participate in unity to resist both domestic and foreign attempts to lease out Chattogram Port and the NCT.