The continuous suspension of work called by workers and employees in protest against the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based company DP World entered its third day on Monday, bringing operations at the country’s principal seaport to a virtual standstill.
Since 8:00am on Monday, container and cargo handling from ships at various jetties of the port has remained suspended, severely disrupting cargo movement and transportation activities.
As no breakthrough has been reached so far, the protesting organisations have announced another 24-hour strike starting from 8:00am on Tuesday.
Fazle Akram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators, Ship Handling Operators and Terminal Operators Association, told, “For the third consecutive day, we have not been able to book any workers. No operations are taking place at the general cargo berths.”
Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said, “No one is joining work as the legitimate demands of the workers have not been met. Workers and employees across the port have spontaneously stopped work.”
He added, “As our demands have not been accepted so far and in protest against the unreasonable transfer of employees involved in the movement, a 24-hour strike will be observed from 8:00am tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, demanding cancellation of the NCT lease, the Workers and Employees Unity Council (SKOP) brought out a black-flag procession and held a rally towards the port.
At around 11:00am, leaders and activists gathered at Badamtoli intersection in Agrabad and marched towards the port area.
The administration has taken a strict position to curb the movement. On the first day, four labour leaders were transferred, followed by the transfer of 12 more on Sunday.
In addition, the port authority has formed a six-member committee to assess the revenue losses incurred due to a one-day work stoppage.
To prevent any untoward incidents, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), through a public notice, has imposed a ban on all kinds of rallies, assemblies and processions in the port area for one month, effective from 12:00am on Saturday night (31 Jan).
FP/MI
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