Work stoppage at Ctg Port enters third day, blockade announced for tomorrow
Instead of engaging in dialogue with them, the administration is issuing one repressive transfer order after another, workers' leaders say.
Port operations at Chattogram remained suspended for a third consecutive day today (2 February) due to an ongoing work stoppage by workers and employees protesting the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.
Amid the disruption, leaders of the Bandar Rokkha Sangram Oikya Parishad announced a fresh 24-hour work stoppage from 8am tomorrow, along with a port blockade at 11am and demands for the removal of the Chattogram Port Authority and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) chairmen.
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The announcement came during a press briefing on the port premises at around 12:30pm, made by the organisation's coordinators, Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon.
They said workers and employees have been observing the work stoppage spontaneously for the past three days.
Instead of engaging in dialogue with them, the administration is issuing one repressive transfer order after another, they added.
The leaders further accused the Bida and port chairmen of attempting to hurriedly and secretly sign a contract with DP World.
Port workers and employees will not accept this anti-national agreement, they said, warning that if necessary, the port will be brought to a standstill for an indefinite period.
Earlier in the day, police obstructed a "black-flag" procession organised by the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad in support of the work stoppage.
Hundreds of leaders and activists began marching towards the port from the Agrabad Badamtali area around 11am, but police stopped them in front of the Jamuna building.
Following the obstruction, the protesters staged a sit-in on the road and announced a port blockade at 11am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, all activities at the port remained halted as the work stoppage continued from 8am today for the third straight day.
Thousands of heavy vehicles that arrived to unload goods were seen stranded in and around the port area.
Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators Association, told The Business Standard that port workers were not joining duties during the morning shift.
"We have 7,000-8,000 registered workers. Even after issuing bookings, they are not reporting for work. As a result, goods cannot be unloaded from berthed vessels on time, causing us significant losses," he said.
Attempts to contact Mohammad Omar Faruk, director (administration) of the Chattogram Port Authority, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
Business leaders warn that if the stalemate continues, it could severely affect supply chains, export shipments and overall economic activity at a time of growing pressure on the logistics sector.
