Chittagong—The country’s main seaport, Chittagong, has once again been paralyzed by four demands, including the cancellation of the process of leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign company DP World.
When workers and employees went on strike from 8 am on Sunday, the movement of goods and containers at all jetties of the port practically stopped.
The entry of trailers and goods transport vehicles inside the port has also been blocked, as a result of which the goods delivery activities have come to a complete halt. Md. Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Protection Movement Council, said that the workers and employees did not join the work despite giving their full support to the movement. At the same time, he alleged that the law enforcement agencies have taken away two labor leaders to suppress the movement.
Concerned parties believe that this deadlock poses a serious risk to the country’s economy ahead of Ramadan and the national parliamentary elections. The strike that began on January 31 turned into an indefinite strike on February 4, which was suspended on Thursday after assurances from the shipping advisor. However, within hours of the assurance, anger flared up again after labor leaders were banned from leaving the country and initiated asset investigations.
In protest against the harassment of workers, the Chittagong Port Protection Movement and the Workers-Employees Unity Council called for an indefinite strike again. As a result, the port came to a standstill again in just two days.
Due to the strike, about 51,000 to 54,000 TEUs of containers are stuck at the port and 19 private depots. Although unloading of goods from ships has started at the jetty, it has stopped again. The number of ships waiting at the outer anchorage is currently about 100, which is expected to increase further.