Workers' strike disrupts Ctg Port operation 

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 31: The eight-hour work abstention of the workers and employees of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) started at 8 in the morning on Saturday disrupting normal operational activities of the Chattogram Port.

The CPA workers and staff are demanding the cancellation of the government's move to lease the port's largest functional facility, the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), to foreign firm DP World.

Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and leaders of the former Port CBA enforced the eight-hour work stoppage from 8:00am to 4:00pm, which hampered the operational activities including the loading and unloading of containers and cargo from vessels.

Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal announced that the similar programme would be observed for eight hours on Sunday.

The protesters brought out a procession in front of Bandar Bhaban (the port's administrative building) to realise their demand.

During the daylong strike workers and employees of Chattogram Port brought out a protest march around 11:00am on Saturday, intensifying their opposition to the decision to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal.

The procession started from inside the port area and moved through Nimtala before reaching Gate No. 3. It then returned and ended at Gate No. 4 of Chattogram Port, where protesters staged demonstrations and held a brief rally. The Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal sources said the operators of different jetties suspended their work during the observation of the programme.

The jetty workers of GCB employed by the operators refrained from work, making it impossible to continue loading and unloading operations. Importers and clearing and forwarding agents have also been affected, with consignments failing to reach destinations on time due to halted port operations.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the port's administrative building premises.
Meanwhile, the CPA issued a notice on Friday evening warning that strict legal action would be taken against any individual or group involved in disrupting the normal operations of the country's principal seaport.

In the notice, the CPA said some vested groups, parties and individuals were creating disorder by unlawfully holding meetings, rallies, processions, work stoppages and other programmes in protest against the government's decision on the New Mooring Container Terminal and the verdict delivered by the High Court.

Port officials confirmed that operations at various cargo berths, the CCT, and the NCT are being disrupted due to the strike.

Muhamamd Omar Faruk, Director Administration of CPA told the Daily Observer that some people demonstrated at different gates of the port in the morning. But he claimed that the operations were normal during their programme.

To prevent any instability or violent situation in the port area, law enforcement agencies have been deployed in large numbers. Security personnel were seen at every gate, as well as in front of the port's administrative buildings.