Prime mover workers to go on nationwide strike tomorrow

The Prime Mover Workers Union called for an indefinite nationwide strike starting tomorrow morning (15 May). 

The strike, announced after meeting in Chattogram this evening (14 May), includes a complete shutdown of goods transport from Chattogram Port, ICDs, and all import-export container movement nationwide. 

The union's action follows alleged assault on its president Selim Khan and two other members.

The union accuses the officer-in-charge (OC) of Pahartali Police Station and other officers of attacking Selim Khan and drivers Delwar Hossain and Mohammad Faisal.

Md Abul Khair, general secretary of the Chattogram Prime Mover and Trailer Workers Union, stated that OC Babul Azad and other police officers "brutally beat" their president and the two drivers last night for refusing to transport a body with a prime mover. 

The injured are currently hospitalised in Chattogram, he said.

"We announced this continuous work stoppage after a protest rally today. No containers will move from Chattogram Port or private ICDs, and all prime mover operations across the country will stop until justice is served," Khair esaid.

The Prime Mover Association estimates that around 7,000 prime movers operate from Chattogram Port, with about 1,200 regularly transporting containers. An estimated 15,000 are active nationwide. 

Attempts to reach OC Babul Azad for comment were unsuccessful.