Workers shun talks as Ctg Port Authority calls meeting tomorrow to end deadlock
The CPA said the meeting was convened to discuss "urgent matters" concerning general employees and workers and instructed strict compliance with the order
Highlights:
- Labour leaders reject meeting, citing lack of trust
- Fixed quotas for departments spark worker backlash
- Indefinite strike to resume Sunday over NCT lease plan
- Previous strike halted port operations for six days
- Disciplinary actions deepen tensions between CPA and workers
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has called an emergency meeting with the employees and workers from different departments tomorrow (8 February), but labour leaders say workers are unwilling to attend, citing mistrust and escalating tensions over the government's move to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World.
According to an official letter dated Saturday (7 February), the CPA asked around 200 general employees and workers to attend the urgent meeting scheduled for 9:30am tomorrow at the conference room of Bandar Bhaban.
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The directive was issued by CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim, with instructions to all divisional heads to ensure participation as per fixed quotas.
The letter sets specific attendance targets across departments: 50 from transport, 80 from mechanical, 20 each from security, electrical and engineering, 15 from finance and accounts, five from inspection, and smaller numbers from medical, administrative and other sections.
In addition, the chief welfare officer was asked to ensure the presence of around 100 nominated workers from various categories.
The CPA said the meeting was convened to discuss "urgent matters" concerning general employees and workers and instructed strict compliance with the order.
Copies of the directive were circulated to senior officials, including the managing director, and arrangements were outlined for security, traffic control, and medical support.
The port police, fire service and other agencies were asked to remain on standby to maintain order during the gathering.
However, labour leaders said workers are not prepared to take part in the meeting, arguing that the authority's actions over recent weeks have eroded trust.
"Calling workers selectively and fixing numbers department-wise does not reflect genuine dialogue," Humyun Kabir, coordinator of Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, told The Business Standard. "Workers feel this is more about control than consultation."
"We have declined to attend the meeting and urged all the workers and employees not to attend," he added.
The emergency meeting comes against the backdrop of heightened unrest at Chattogram Port, where workers and employees under platforms such as the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad have called an indefinite strike from tomorrow morning, after a two-day pause, demanding cancellation of the decision to lease out the NCT to DP World.
Last week, an indefinite strike by workers of the country's main seaport brought operations to a standstill for six days, disrupting cargo handling and raising alarm across the trade and manufacturing sectors.
The strike was temporarily suspended for two days following talks with Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, but labour leaders have repeatedly warned that protests would resume if the NCT deal is not scrapped.
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Since then, tensions have continued to simmer. The port authority has transferred several employees accused of instigating protests and sought investigations into alleged disruptions, steps that unions describe as punitive and provocative.
Labour representatives say these actions have hardened positions on the ground, making it difficult for workers to engage in meetings called by the authority.
"Before any meeting, the CPA must stop administrative harassment and clearly state whether it is willing to reconsider the NCT leasing plan," another leader Ibrahim Khokan said. "Without that, workers see no reason to sit."
Port sources said the CPA intended the session to directly engage grassroots-level workers amid the growing labour-management standoff, which has already affected port productivity and raised concerns about national trade flows.
