CPA workers observe hunger strike over NCT lease 

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 12: The workers of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) observed their five hour token hunger strike on Monday.  Several hundred leaders and activists from the Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal participated in the hunger strike in front of the port’s One-Stop Service Building. 

They protested against the 15-year concession agreement signed between the CPA and Dubai-based DP World to operate and maintain the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).

Workers argued that handing the NCT over to a foreign operator harms national interests and risks local job security. They demanded the terminal remain under Bangladeshi management.  

The hunger strike was organised by Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad and Chattogram Port Protection Community. Port workers and other stakeholders observed a mass hunger strike.

Leaders of Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal also joined the programme.  Speaking at the protest, Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, questioned the government’s decision to hand over NCT operations to Dubai-based port operator DP World under a non-disclosure agreement, saying the lack of transparency had left key questions unanswered.

He demanded that the government explain how handing NCT operations to DP World would improve the port’s efficiency and benefit the national economy.

The government has argued that bringing in an international terminal operator would increase port capacity, attract foreign investment and improve operational efficiency. Under the proposed arrangement, DP World is expected to operate the terminal and invest in equipment and related facilities.

However, the proposal has faced opposition from port workers and other stakeholders, who have raised concerns over employment security, transparency and the implications of transferring terminal operations to a foreign company.