Ghat workers' strike leave vessels stranded
Vessels lie idle as workers of ghats adjoining the Karnaphuli river went on a strike yesterday. The photo was taken at Sadarghat Banglabaar ghat.Photo: STAR
Chittagong Ghat and Gudam Sramik Union observed a strike in 16 ghats adjoining Karnaphuli river yesterday, leaving at least 150 vessels stranded, protesting the alleged assault on its leaders on Saturday night. Members of the union and Chattagram Ghat and Gudam Sramik Sangram Parishad, recently formed with the union's defecting members, clashed at Banglabazar Ghat area that night leaving six people injured. The clash ensued over collecting money for a welfare fund for ghat workers. The fund's formation was decided at a meeting between local lawmaker MA Latif and goods importers, lighter vessel owners and workers on January 25 following a strike in this regard by the parishad a day before. The meeting decided to collect the fund by cutting Tk 0.10 from Tk 9 that each worker gets for carrying a 90 kilogramme bag, said sources. The clash ensued when the union leaders told the parishad leaders to start collecting the money though the fund was yet to be formed, added the sources. The union President Md Abdul Quader and the parishad Convener Mohammad Alamgir blamed each other's organisations for trying to collect the money. Assistant Commissioner of Double Mooring Zone of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, Arifin Jewel, said they hope to reach a solution through a meeting with the organisations today.
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