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Workers demand public explanation of NCT lease benefits, risks
Published : Sunday, 20 September, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Observer online report
Leaders of several workers’ organisations have demanded that the government explain to the public the potential benefits and risks of leasing out Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
They also called for a national dialogue with the government on the issue and urged workers to join a daylong sit-in programme at the port building on October 5.
The demands were made at an exchange meeting between leaders of national federations and basic unions and the Chattogram Port Protection Committee at Sultan Ahmed Hall of Chattogram Press Club on Sunday.
Speakers said Chattogram Port is the country’s main hub for import and export trade, with the national economy and the interests of a large number of workers linked to it. They said workers’ rights and interests, alongside national interests, should be given priority in the port’s management and future development plans.
Regarding the proposed lease of the NCT, they said the government must make clear to the public what benefits the country would gain from the move. They also called for a national discussion on its potential risks and urged the government to organise a national dialogue.
The speakers said they wanted to draw the government’s attention through peaceful programmes. However, they warned that treating peaceful protests as a sign of weakness would be a mistake.
They said stricter programmes could be announced in the future if necessary, including blockades and hartals with public support.
For now, they stressed ensuring broad participation by leaders and activists of national federations, basic unions and workers’ organisations in the October 5 sit-in.
Chattogram Port Protection Committee Convener Engineer Delwar Majumder chaired the meeting, moderated by its Member Secretary Fazlul Kabir Mintu.
Leaders of various workers’ organisations addressed the meeting, including TUC Chattogram district committee President Tapan Dutta, Nationalist Workers’ Party Chattogram divisional committee General Secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, Bangladesh Workers Federation President SK Khoda Toton and other labour leaders.
The meeting called on workers, national federations, basic unions and workers’ organisations across the country to participate in the daylong sit-in at the port building on October 5.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
