United News of Bangladesh

Workers and employees of Chattogram Port have suspended their ongoing strike for two days following a meeting with Shipping Adviser (retd) Brigadier General M Sakhawat Hossain. Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Port Protection Sangram Oikya Parishad, said they decided to withdraw the strike for Friday and Saturday. However, he said the strike would be permanently withdrawn only if their demands are met. He alleged that the shipping adviser is not fully aware of the economic aspects of the agreement in question. An effort will be made to explain during discussions how the agreement goes against the country’s interests, he added. Kabir also said the adviser assured them that no anti-national agreement would be allowed. Meanwhile, port-related banks will remain open from 8:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, while five percent of customs operations will continue. Besides, five percent of port operations will remain functional on Friday. Those willing to take delivery of goods have been requested to participate in the limited operations. Speaking to reporters, the shipping adviser said launching such a movement by closing the port ahead of Ramadan was “inhuman and inappropriate,” noting that demands could have been placed without shutting down the port. He warned that the government would take strict action if the protest is not withdrawn by Thursday. He also said aviation fuel remained stuck due to the port closure, which is negatively affecting airline operations. The adviser announced the formation of a fact-finding committee and said the issue would be raised at the highest level, with a final decision to be taken through a specific committee. Earlier on Thursday, protesters blocked the convoy of the shipping adviser when he arrived at the port around 10:45am to assess the situation amid the ongoing strike. Hundreds of workers and employees surrounded the vehicles, chanted slogans and obstructed their movement. After about 15 minutes, police and port security personnel escorted the convoy into the port premises. The strike entered its fifth consecutive day on Thursday, protesting plans to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. The workers launched the indefinite strike, demanding cancellation of the leasing process and withdrawal of alleged harassment and transfer orders against protesting workers. Meanwhile, unprecedented security measures have been put in place at the port. Alongside police, members of the army and navy have been deployed. Several port gates have been closed, restricting workers’ access to the terminal. DCCI calls for immediate normalisation of Ctg port operations Cargo-laden vessels remain stranded at both the outer anchorage and jetties, while cargo delivery from yards and the movement of goods-carrying vehicles in and out of the port have remained halted. More than 11,000 export-oriented containers are currently stuck at the port.