Employees at Chattogram port have declared their intention to recommence an indefinite work stoppage starting tomorrow. They have accused the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) of reneging on promises made during dialogue sessions by requesting travel bans and asset investigations on protest leaders.
The decision to resume the work stoppage was made during a meeting of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad at a local club near Port Colony in the evening. Subsequent to the meeting, protesting employees marched towards the road near Port Colony and set fire to an effigy of the CPA chairman around 8:00 pm.
Md Ibrahim Khokan, the Coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram, expressed disappointment, stating that the workers had previously postponed their strike upon assurances from the shipping adviser that their grievances would be addressed. However, the swift issuance of a letter by CPA to various government bodies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, to impose travel bans and initiate asset investigations against 15 protesters, has reignited tensions among the employees.
In light of these developments, Khokan emphasized that the workers felt compelled to resume the indefinite work stoppage from the following day. Throughout the day, the port environment remained tense as employees awaited the outcome of negotiations, while concerns were raised by port users and businesses regarding potential disruptions in operations if the work stoppage is reinstated.
