United News of Bangladesh

Port workers have announced a fresh indefinite work stoppage at Chattogram Port from Sunday, protesting the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operator DP World and pressing four other demands. Humayun Kabir, coordinator of Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council, announced the strike at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club on Saturday afternoon. He said activities at the port’s outer anchorage would also remain suspended during the strike. Another coordinator of the council Ibrahim Khokon was present at the press conference. Chittagong Port achieved historic milestone in 2025, in container handling and revenue Earlier, port workers observed strike over the same demands starting with eight-hour strikes for three consecutive days from last Saturday followed by an indefinite strike from Tuesday. The pogramme was suspended for two days after a meeting with Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain at the port building on Thursday. The workers said they decided to resume the movement as their demands remained unmet.

Loading and unloading activities at Chattogram port remained suspended for two hours on Wednesday night as workers staged a demonstration in protest against the alleged misbehaviour of two policemen.   The protesters accused the two cops of misbehaving with their fellow port workers -- both crane operators -- earlier on Wednesday and threatened to go on a strike if their three demands are not met by 1 pm on Thursday.   According to the protesters, Shohag, a crane operator, was returning home from work around 5 pm on his bike.   "Near Zaman Hotel in the CEPZ area, a sub-inspector signalled Shohag to stop and sought an explanation as to why he was on the road during lockdown. Despite Shohag informing the cop that he was returning home from work, the sub-inspector asked for his identity papers and misbehaved with him," a protester told UNB.   Chattogram Sampan boatmen on day-long hunger strike The same day, the protesters claimed, a police constable assaulted another crane operator in the Nimtala Biswaroad area.   As the news spread Ike wildfire, the crane operators at the port staged a protest from 8 pm to 10 pm.   Mohammad Nasir Ullah, general secretary of the Chattagram Port Winsman (Crane Operator) Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society, said, "We tried to solve the issue after discussions with the director (traffic) of the port. But when one of our leaders went to the police station, cops threatened to arrest him. That’s the reason why the crane operators abstained from work.”   Also read: Chattogram Port Customs organises ’ biggest ever’ auction   "We have submitted a memorandum to the port authorities, demanding a pass for the workers, and ensuring their transportation and security during the lockdown period. If our demands are not met by 1 pm on Thursday, we may go on a strike," he said.   The government has enforced a nationwide strict lockdown from Wednesday to curb the coronavirus transmission.