Ctg port workers suspend hunger strike against NCT lease

The Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council suspended its fast-unto-death programme, scheduled for Monday, following a meeting with the shipping minister and state minister.

The council had announced the programme to press for the cancellation of the lease agreement with a foreign company for operating the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and fulfilment of workers’ basic demands, including job security.

The indefinite hunger strike was announced at a mass hunger strike in front of the port’s One-Stop Service Building on 12 October.

The Council Joint Secretary Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, confirmed the decision to suspend the programme following what he described as fruitful discussions with the shipping minister and state minister on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram chapter of the Sramik Karmachari Okiya Parishad (SKOP) has called a press conference at S Rahman Hall of Chattogram Press Club at 11am on Monday.

The organisation has been agitating demanding the cancellation of the NCT lease agreement with Dubai-based DP World and a halt to the leasing process for the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) and the General Cargo Berth (GCB).