Port workers warn of shutdown over NCT deal

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 5: Port workers and leaders of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad have threatened to shut down Chattogram Port and operations up to Kutubdia if the government signs an agreement to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.

They made the threat on Monday at a daylong sit-in in front of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) headquarters, protesting proposed arrangements to involve foreign operators in the NCT, Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and General Cargo Berths (GCB).

The protesters demanded cancellation of the proposed 15-year concession agreement to hand over the NCT and its overflow yard to Dubai-based DP World and dropping plans to lease out the CCT and GCB to foreign operators.

Several hundred leaders and activists of political and workers’ organisations joined the protest, which began around 11:20am. They blocked the road leading to the port’s administrative building, disrupting vehicular movement, while police and port security personnel were deployed at the spot.

Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, said the port would be completely shut down once any agreement on the NCT is signed.

“If you take steps to sign any agreement, Chattogram Port will immediately be shut down. Not only the port, but operations up to the Kutubdia outer anchorage will also be stopped,” he said.

He said the protesters did not want instability and urged the government to consider the views of port workers and the wider public before taking any decision.

Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram unit of the Trade Union Centre and a leader of the Sramik Kormochari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), said the port is an economic lifeline for the country and should not be handed over to foreign operators.

He warned that continued disregard for the workers’ demands could lead to a broader movement and said workers would not accept any move that undermines their role in operating the country’s main seaport.
Tapan announced a torch procession for Wednesday and further programmes on Oct 13.

Humayun Kabir, joint coordinator of the council, urged the government to meet a delegation of port workers before proceeding with the proposed arrangements.

The protesters also demanded withdrawal of what they described as “harassing and false” cases against port labour leaders and an end to administrative harassment of workers involved in the movement.