Four Ctg Port employees transferred for instigating protest, disrupting operations
According to the order, the employees were transferred “in the interest of service and to ensure smooth port operations” after allegations of involvement in activities that obstructed official duties.
The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has transferred four of its employees to Pangao Inland Container Terminal (ICT) on compulsory grounds for allegedly instigating protests and disrupting urgent operational work at the port.
The decision was announced through an office order today (31 January), signed by the chief personnel officer of the CPA.
According to the order, the employees were transferred "in the interest of service and to ensure smooth port operations" after allegations of involvement in activities that obstructed official duties.
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The transferred officials are Mohammad Humayun Kabir, audit assistant of the Internal Audit and Inspection Department; Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain, first-grade engine driver of the Marine Department; Mohammad Anowarul Azim, senior accounts assistant of the Accounts and Finance Department; and Mohammad Faridur Rahman, SS Khalasi of the Mechanical Department, who was also attached to Chattogram Port Girls' High School.
All four have been attached to the Pay and Accounts Office in Pangao ICT, Dhaka, with immediate effect, the order said.
The order also instructed the employees to report to their new posting by 1 February and stated that failure to comply would be treated as a violation of service rules.
CPA officials said the transfers were made as part of disciplinary measures to prevent disruption of port operations, which are considered critical for national trade and supply chains.
The move comes amid heightened tensions at Chattogram port over ongoing protests related to policy and operational decisions, including the proposed management arrangement of the New Mooring Container Terminal.
Port authorities have repeatedly warned employees against participating in demonstrations during office hours, citing court directives and government decisions.
Earlier on Tuesday (29 January), the CPA issued a notice ordering disciplinary action against the employees taking part in the protest. In another notice, the CPA issued a warning to take legal action for staging protests in and around port areas and disrupting port operations.
However, defying the warnings workers and employees enforced daylong work abstention and staged protest in front of port gates effectively paralysing the port operations today, protesting authorities decision to lease NCT to Dubai based operator DP World in an unsolicited deal. The workers have also announced to observe a similar type of protest tomorrow. They also warned tougher programmes if the authority does not refrain from the NCT deal.
