Workers and employees at Chattogram port initiated an eight-hour work stoppage today, urging the government to revoke its plan to lease the port’s primary operational facility, the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), to foreign company DP World.
Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and former Port CBA leaders enforced the eight-hour halt, running from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, disrupting activities at various jetties and impacting container and cargo handling from vessels.
Organizers declared that administrative and operational functions would be suspended for another eight hours tomorrow (Sunday).
Protesters staged a march in front of Bandar Bhaban (the port’s administrative building) to press for their demands.
Port sources reported that operators of various cargo and container-handling machinery ceased work, causing disruptions in cargo loading, unloading, and transportation.
Loading and unloading operations at three jetties of the oldest General Cargo Berth (GCB) terminal came to a standstill due to workers abstaining from work, according to Fazley Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators, Ship-Handling Operators, and Terminal Operators Owners Association.
Chowdhury mentioned that both jetty workers employed by operators and port-employed equipment operators refrained from working at the GCB, leading to a halt in operations.
The influx of cargo and container-carrying vehicles entering the port in the morning was notably lower compared to regular days.
Security measures have been heightened around the port’s administrative building premises.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) released a notice yesterday evening cautioning of strict legal repercussions against any individual or group causing disruptions at the country’s main seaport.
In the notice, the CPA highlighted that certain vested groups, parties, and individuals were instigating disorder through unauthorized gatherings, rallies, processions, work stoppages, and other activities in opposition to the government’s decision on the New Mooring Container Terminal and the High Court’s ruling.
