Indefinite work stoppage announced until NCT lease decision withdrawn, Ctg Port operations disrupted
Business leaders have warned that the ongoing strike has completely halted the clearance and shipment of import-export goods, which could have a severe negative impact on the national economy.
Leaders of the Chattograpm Port Rokkha Songram Oikkya Parishad have announced an indefinite work stoppage until the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based operator DP World is withdrawn, triggering severe disruptions at the port.
The announcement was made at a press briefing beside the port building this afternoon (3 February) by the platform's two coordinators, Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon.
At the briefing, the leaders alleged that two senior government officials are pressuring members of the port's agreement negotiation team by confining them to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) office in Dhaka. They claimed the officials are pushing for a contract based on revenue-sharing instead of a per-TEU rate. Such an agreement, they warned, would soon turn the port into a loss-making entity.
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They further alleged that instead of reconsidering the decision to lease out the NCT, the government is exerting increasing pressure to proceed with the deal. "Therefore, we have decided to continue our 24-hour work stoppage indefinitely until this hasty decision is withdrawn," one of the leaders said.
Earlier, workers and employees at the Chattograpm Port began a 24-hour full-scale strike at 8am today, following three consecutive days of eight-hour work stoppages.
Business leaders have warned that the strike has completely halted the clearance and shipment of import-export goods, which could have a severe negative impact on the national economy. Experts fear that ahead of Ramadan, the disruption may lead to acute shortages of essential commodities and rising prices.
They urged the government and labour organisations to show flexibility in the national interest and resolve the impasse quickly through dialogue, warning that failure to do so could cause irreparable damage to the country's economy.
Khairul Alam Sujan, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents' Association and former vice-president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association, told The Business Standard that the work stoppage has paralysed not only port operations but also administrative activities.
"Yesterday, the port did not issue NOCs for any vessels. As a result, several ships waiting to depart are unable to sail," he said, adding that the situation is tarnishing the port's image on the international stage.
