Ctg Port workers lift strike until 15 Feb after govt says DP World deal on hold
The move comes after the government told journalists that the current administration would not sign the NCT agreement during its tenure.
Highlights:
- Workers, employees at Chattogram Port suspend their indefinite strike until 15 February
- Decision made considering polls, need to keep goods moving ahead of Ramadan, they say
- Adviser, Bida chief told journalists interim government would not sign NCT agreement during its tenure
- Workers warn failure to address their concerns will prompt fresh programmes
Workers and employees at Chattogram Port have suspended their indefinite strike over the proposed New Mooring Container Terminal deal with DP World until 15 February, considering the upcoming general election and the need to keep goods moving ahead of Ramadan.
The announcement came in a press release issued early today (9 February) by the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, which has been spearheading protests for the past nine days.
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The group said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain and Bida Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun had earlier told journalists that the interim government would not sign the NCT agreement during its tenure.
Despite the assurance, the platform alleged that the Chittagong Port Authority had taken a series of punitive actions against protesting workers. These included the arrest of five port employees, the filing of what it described as harassment cases, the transfer of 15 employees to different ports across the country and the imposition of various disciplinary measures.
It added that housing allocations of protesting workers had been cancelled and that 16 employees had been suspended, along with other penalties.
"In the interest of the 13th national election in 2026 and to ensure uninterrupted release of essential goods ahead of Ramadan, and following discussions with our leaders, we have decided to suspend the strike programme from 8am on 9 February to 15 February," the press release said.
The workers warned that failure to address their concerns within this period would prompt fresh programmes, to be announced at a press conference on 16 February.
The statement was signed by Mohammad Humayun Kabir and Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, coordinators of the council.
It began its work abstention programme at 8am on 31 January, initially observing an eight-hour stoppage from 8am to 4pm for three days.
From last Tuesday (3 February), the protest escalated into an indefinite work stoppage, which was briefly suspended for two days following a visit by the shipping adviser on Thursday.
Despite the pause, the council alleged that further administrative actions by the CPA had reignited tensions, prompting workers to resume an indefinite strike yesterday morning.
The renewed stoppage disrupted operations at port terminals and the outer anchorage.
