Workers lift symbolic Chattogram Port blockade early after administration's assurance
Although the programme was scheduled to continue until 1pm, labour leaders called it off around 11:30am.
Leaders and activists of the Left Democratic Alliance and workers today (26 November) withdrew their three-hour symbolic blockade – protesting the lease of two terminals to foreign companies – at two entry points of Chattogram Port after just an hour and a half, following assurances from the administration.
They had launched the protest against the leasing of Laldia and Pangaon terminals to foreign companies, as well as the government's plan to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal to another foreign operator.
Hundreds of workers under the banner of the Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) began the blockade at 10am in the Boropol area of the port connecting road and the Toll Road area.
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Although the programme was scheduled to continue until 1pm, labour leaders called it off around 11:30am.
Tapan Dutta, convenor of the Trade Union Centre's Chattogram chapter and member of the Labour Reform Commission, said they withdrew the blockade after assurances from the administration.
The next course of action will depend on the High Court's ruling on a pending writ petition on 4 December, he added.
Tapan said the workers conducted a peaceful symbolic programme and warned of tougher actions if their demands are not met.
During the programme, traffic at Boropol was largely unaffected, but several hundred port-bound heavy vehicles were stuck on the Toll Road, causing an hour-long gridlock.
The situation eased only once the blockade was withdrawn.
Mohammad Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority, told The Business Standard that the blockade had no major impact on port operations.
Earlier, addressing a rally during the blockade, former Communist Party of Bangladesh president Shah Alam recalled that a similar plan to lease out the port to foreigners in 1997 was halted through a strong movement.
He said the interim government has no authority to lease the port and warned that resistance will be organised across the country if the decision is not cancelled.
Protest leaders said Chattogram Port is vital for Bangladesh, noting that it handles 93% of the country's import-export trade.
Countries with multiple ports may not face risks from foreign operators, but Bangladesh has only one major port, they said, cautioning that handing it over to foreign entities will put the entire economy at risk.
SKOP leader SK Khoda Toton said the port is currently handling about 1.5 times its capacity and exceeded revenue targets last year, allowing workers to receive Tk1 lakh each in bonuses.
"So why should a profitable port be handed over to foreigners?" he questioned.
Another leader, Fazlul Kabir Mintu, said today's programme was only symbolic.
"If we wanted to enforce a full blockade, we could have done it from the morning. We want to send a message: if the NCT leasing plan is not cancelled, we will be forced to announce tougher programmes, including hartals."
