United News of Bangladesh

The indefinite strike at Chattogram Port called to protest the planned lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign company DP World has been suspended. The strike was called off after the government assured that the lease agreement would not be signed during the interim government’s tenure. Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, one of the coordinators of the Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council, announced the decision around 12:30 am on Monday. Meanwhile, the port authorities have suspended 17 striking workers including three who were taken into custody. Besides, the authorities have ordered the handover of government-allocated housing for 15 union leaders. Read More: Strike halts operations at Chattogram Port for second time The port workers started the indefinite strike from Sunday morning, demanding the cancellation of the planned DP World lease for NCT and raising three other demands. Later Ashik Chowdhury, CEO of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) authority and the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) announced that the interim government would not sign any lease agreement with the DP World during its tenure. Considering the continuity of import-export trade, the upcoming Ramadan and the national elections, the Port Protection Movement Council decided to suspend the strike, said its leaders.