Benapole port workers announce indefinite strike from 14 June

Two labour unions involved in cargo handling operations at Benapole Land Port have announced an indefinite strike from 14 June, raising concerns over potential disruptions to normal port operations and import-export trade activities.

The announcement was made today (9 June) by the leaders of the two unions.

According to the labour leaders, representatives of the Benapole Land Port Workers’ Union and the Benapole Land Port Handling Workers’ Union submitted a written application to the chairman of the Bangladesh Land Port Authority through the port director this afternoon (9 June).

In the application, the labour leaders alleged that the contractor appointed by the port authority has not maintained any agreement, coordination or effective communication with their organisations since 5 August 2024.

They said repeated attempts to resolve the matter through both written and verbal communication had failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.

Maksudur Rahman Rintu, president of the Benapole Land Port Workers’ Union, and Sahid Ali, general secretary of the Benapole Land Port Handling Workers’ Union, said they had previously decided to enforce work stoppages on several occasions but suspended those plans following assurances from the port director

Businesspeople at the port warned that if the programme is implemented, normal operations at the country’s largest land port would be disrupted. They also expressed concern that import-export trade and the transportation of goods could face adverse impacts.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain said, “An application containing various demands from the two labour unions has been submitted to the chairman of the port authority through me. The application has been forwarded to the headquarters in Dhaka. A decision on the matter will be taken soon.”