Ctg Port workers threaten to halt operations over New Mooring terminal deal

Leaders of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad threatened to shut down operations at Chattogram Port and up to Kutubdia if the government signs an agreement to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.

They issued the warning today (5 October) while staging a sit-in in front of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Building, protesting the government's move to involve foreign operators in the operation of the NCT, Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and General Cargo Berths (GCB).

Leaders of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad have threatened to shut down operations at Chattogram Port and up to Kutubdia if the government signs an agreement to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.

They issued the warning today (5 October) while staging a sit-in in front of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) building, protesting the government's move to involve foreign operators in the operation of the NCT, Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and General Cargo Berths (GCB).

Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, said the port will be completely shut down as soon as any agreement on the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) is signed.

"If you take steps to sign any agreement, Chattogram Port will immediately be shut down. Not only the port, but operations up to the Kutubdia outer anchorage will also be stopped," he said.

Khokon said the protesters do not want instability and urged the government to take the views of port workers and the wider public into consideration before making any decision.

"We do not want any instability. We want to cooperate with the democratic government. But you must understand the people's pulse and give priority to their opinion," he said.

He said the government should make a decision on the port in the national interest.

"We will provide maximum cooperation if you take the people's opinion into consideration. Otherwise, the port workers, employees and others who have stood against the privatisation of the NCT, CCT and GCB will use all our strength to resist it through a mass movement across Bangladesh," Khokon said.

Humayun Kabir, joint coordinator of the council, urged the government to meet a delegation of port workers before proceeding with the proposed arrangement.

He said workers had expected the current government to cancel a deal that, according to him, had originated under the previous government.

"We had expected that during this government's tenure, we would be able to continue our jobs peacefully. But unfortunately, a deal initiated in 2017 under the fascist government and carried forward by the previous government is now being advanced again," he said.

Humayun said port workers have already held discussions with ministers and other government representatives and initially believed the proposed deal would be stopped.

"We had discussed the matter with the minister and others, and initially we understood that the agreement would be stopped. But now, under the influence and provocation of a vested group, our government is moving the deal forward," he said.

He called on the government to meet representatives of the protesting workers.

"We repeatedly requested the government to call us. You are the symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh, and you are also the symbol of our hopes and aspirations. Call a representative team from Chattogram Port and the protesting workers and sit with us," Humayun said.

"If we can convince you, do not hand over Chattogram Port to foreigners under any circumstances. If we fail to convince you, then you can take your own decision," he added.

More protests planned

Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram unit of the Trade Union Centre and a leader of the Sramik Kormochari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), said the port is an economic lifeline for the country and should not be handed over to foreign operators.

He warned that continued disregard for the workers' demands may lead to a broader movement.

"If people's voices are not heard, they take different paths. That is part of Bangladesh's history," Tapan said.

He said the workers will not accept any move that could undermine their role in operating the country's main seaport.

"We cannot accept this. Leaders have already said that the port will be shut down if necessary. If there is further provocation, we have the strength to keep all the relevant organisations closed," he said.

Tapan announced a series of programmes to intensify the protests. The workers will hold a torch procession on Wednesday (7 October) and plan further programmes on 13 October, including actions involving the port chairman, he said.

The protesters said they want the government to resolve the issue through dialogue before the situation escalates.

The demonstration is part of growing opposition among port workers and other stakeholders to the proposed involvement of foreign operators in key terminals at Chattogram Port.