Workers rally in Ctg demanding halt to NCT lease plan, cancellation of Laldia, Pangaon deals

Workers in Chattogram took to the streets today (5 December), demanding that the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) scrap its lease agreements for Laldia and the Pangaon terminals and abandon any move to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).

The Chattogram Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) organised a workers' rally and a torch procession at the Sagorika industrial area at 4pm, drawing leaders from labour groups.

Jatiya Sramik Dal's Chattogram Divisional General Secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar presided over the event. Trade Union Center (TUC) Central Committee Organiser Fazlul Kabir Mintu conducted the programme.

Speaking as chief guest, Tapan Dutta, president of TUC's Chattogram district committee and a member of the Labour Reform Commission, said the port is a strategic national asset central to Bangladesh's economy and security, and any attempt to lease out its facilities to foreign entities would face fierce resistance.

He argued that no unelected interim government has the political mandate to decide the future of such state assets. He warned that handing over port facilities in a zone that includes the naval headquarters and key oil installations could jeopardise national security.

Dutta said workers have already made their position clear during the December protest in Dhaka and added that any attempt to ignore their demand would trigger a stronger response. "The country's future won't be held hostage," he said.

After the rally, he announced a red-flag march towards the port from Dewanhat intersection on 10 December.

Speakers from across labour platforms echoed the call. They included SK Khoda Toton of the Bangladesh Labour Federation, TUC Chattogram district General Secretary Mosiud Doula, BNP-backed labour organisers SM Jamal Uddin and Kazi Anwarul Haq Huni, Socialist Labour Front leader Helal Uddin Kabir, BLF general secretary Abu Ahmed Mia, and others.

In his closing remarks, Nurullah Bahar said Laldiar Char, Pangaon and Chittagong Port belong to the people and must not be handed to any foreign or multinational operator. He warned that SKOP, alongside all affiliated unions, would launch nationwide protests if the government did not withdraw the lease decisions. 

He said allegations of corruption inside the port system must be investigated, but using those claims to justify leasing core assets was "a deliberate attempt to mislead the public."