The port’s operations have been brought to a near standstill as workers protested the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port to a foreign company. Permanent port employees and private sector workers participated in the program that began at 8 am on Saturday.
The strike severely disrupted the loading and unloading of containers and goods from ships at the jetty. Operations were disrupted at the General Cargo Berth (GCB), Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) and Newmooring Container Terminal. Labor leaders said that no workers had joined work since morning and no equipment had been started. The strike is scheduled to continue till 4 pm and the same program has been announced to be observed on Sunday as well.
The program is being held in protest against the decision of NCT to lease the port to UAE-based DP World. In the face of the workers’ protests, the port authorities have warned of administrative action against the participants in the movement, but the situation has not normalized.