Ctg Port workers protest DP World’s NCT deal, announce hunger strike on 12 Oct

Chattogram Port workers protesting the handover of operations of the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World have announced a two-hour hunger strike for 12 October, hours after the government signed a 15-year concession agreement with the global port operator.

The programme was announced at a rally in front of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) building around 4pm today (8 October), shortly after the agreement was signed in Dhaka.

Humayun Kabir, a coordinator of the Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, said the workers were still willing to give the government time to open discussions over the agreement.

“The government has already signed the agreement, so there is little left to say. But we want to give the government more time,” he said at the rally.

“We strongly urge the government to create a path for discussion by Sunday. If no such opportunity is created, we will observe a hunger strike on Monday [12 October] from 11am to 1pm. We will announce our next programme from there,” he added.

Following the rally, the workers brought out a procession from the port building. The procession passed through Nimtala intersection before returning to the port building, where the programme ended.

‘Black Day’ declaration

Ibrahim Khokon, another coordinator of the parishad, said workers had repeatedly urged the government to hold discussions before signing the agreement.

“The government did not listen to us and signed the agreement unilaterally. This day will remain a black day in the history of the port,” he said.

“We will observe 8 October as a Black Day every year. If the government does not create a path for dialogue, we will be forced to announce increasingly tougher programmes,” he added.

Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, divisional general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said the protest was not directed against the government.

“This is not a movement against the government. It is a movement to free the government from those who are misleading it,” he said.

“Whatever agreement is signed or whatever is done, the port’s workers and employees will not accept it,” he added.

Agreement signed in Dhaka

The concession agreement between Bangladesh and DP World was signed around 3pm today at the Invest Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury and the chairman of DP World’s board were present at the signing ceremony.

Protesters also gathered outside the Invest Bangladesh auditorium, where a scuffle reportedly took place between demonstrators and police.

The agreement was signed after weeks of opposition from port workers and several labour and civic organisations, which have demanded that the government scrap plans to hand over NCT operations to a foreign operator.

Earlier, on 1 October, the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the draft concession agreement for a 15-year contract with a foreign operator to operate and maintain NCT.

The government has said appointing an international terminal operator will help modernise NCT, improve cargo-handling efficiency and attract investment. The Chattogram Port Authority will retain ownership of the terminal and its assets under the arrangement.

Opponents, however, have questioned the need to hand over operations of the country’s busiest container terminal to a foreign operator and have demanded greater transparency over the concession terms and consultations with workers and other stakeholders.

The workers’ latest programme indicates that opposition to the deal will continue despite the agreement having been signed.

Dhaka also sees protests

Meanwhile, protests were also held in Dhaka against the DP World deal.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, Bangladesh Chhatra Union and several other organisations demonstrated outside the Invest Bangladesh office in Agargaon on Thursday.

Police dispersed the protesters, with organisers alleging that several people were injured in a baton-charge.

However, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station Officer-in-Charge Md Monirul Islam denied that police used batons, saying protesters had blocked the road and were removed to restore traffic.