Ctg port workers to continue work abstention tomorrow
Workers and employees of Chattogram port have announced they will continue their 8‑hour work abstention tomorrow after their demand to cancel the government’s move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based DP World was not met.
The protesters, under the banner of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Songram Parishad, had earlier observed two consecutive days of work abstention that was supposed to end at 4:00pm Sunday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Coordinator Humayun Kabir expressed disappointment that neither the port authority nor the government initiated discussions with the protesters, alleging instead that punitive measures were taken by transferring and placing several labour leaders on standby.
Humayun said the workers were compelled to enforce another day of abstention as their demand remained unmet.
Meanwhile, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) today transferred 12 more employees to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Keraniganj and the Dhaka ICD. Yesterday, CPA transferred four employees.
At a press briefing, CPA Director (Admin) Md Omar Faruk said that the deal signing procedure is being carried out by the government through the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) under PPP guidelines.
“So far there is no news about the signing of the deal. Before the signing, it is not right to start agitation and movement,” he said, adding that the work stoppage has impacted port activities.
During the abstention, container transport between the port and private inland container depots remained fully suspended, ICD operators confirmed.
Omar described the employee transfers as "routine".
Port sources said operations such as loading and unloading cargo and containers from vessels, as well as delivery from port yards, resumed in full swing immediately after 4:00pm Sunday, though earlier in the day, activities had faced disruptions during the second consecutive work stoppage that began at 8:00am.
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