Ctg port workers announce indefinite strike in protest against NCT leasing plan

Chattogram port employees have announced indefinite work abstention from Wednesday morning demanding the government cancel work on handing over the port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign contractor.

The indefinite strike was announced on Tuesday afternoon, in the middle of a 24-hour strike.

The workers, led by BNP-affiliated labour wing, boycotted duties for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, protesting the government’s ongoing efforts to appoint UAE-based DP World as the operator of NCT.

The presence of foreign operators at the Chattogram port, despite the presence of capable local companies, would “threaten national security,” and the national economy’s well-being, the protesters claimed.

The port's official website shows 98 vessels lie stranded off the port with shipments including rice, lentil, sugar, edible oil, cement clinkers, dates, petroleum products and others.

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Earlier, Chattogram Port Authority Director Md Omar Faruk said the strikes are negatively impacting the economy with the Holy Ramadan only weeks away. Hopefully, the port workers would withdraw their movement in view of the greater good of the country and also themselves, Md Omar Faruk said.

Otherwise, the authorities will have to take stricter measures.

On Monday, the Shipping Ministry transferred 15 protesting workers, most of whom belong to BNP-affiliated Jatayatabadi Bandar Sramik Dal, to other sea ports in a bid to deter other protesters.