Ctg Port workers resume indefinite strike, all operations halted

An indefinite strike called by workers and employees at Chattogram Port demanding the cancellation of the lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the UAE-based DP World resumed this morning (8 February) after a two-day pause.

The strike restarted at 8am, and as workers refrained from joining duties, all operations at the port’s three terminals and outer anchorage have come to a complete halt.

Workers have taken positions at different locations across the port area. To reinforce security, a large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed, along with armoured police vehicles and water cannons kept on standby. A tense situation is prevailing throughout the port area.

Although no clashes had been reported since morning, Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Protection Movement Council, alleged that two labour leaders were arrested by Detective Branch (DB) police late Saturday night.

However, the Detective Branch of police and Port Police have not yet confirmed the arrests.

Meanwhile, a meeting between port workers and the Chattogram Port Authority chairman, scheduled to be held at the port auditorium at 9:30am, has yet to begin, as labour leaders announced a boycott of the meeting.

Another coordinator of the Port Protection Council, Humayun Kabir, alleged that members of the law enforcement agencies were forcibly picking up workers from their residences in the Port Colony area and taking them to the auditorium for the meeting.