Chittagong Port paralysed by continuous strike again

The Chittagong Port Security Sangram Parishad has started a continuous strike again with four demands, including the cancellation of the decision to hand over the management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the United Arab Emirates-based company DP World. Port workers and employees have started the strike from 8 am today, Sunday (February 8). All types of goods and containers have been stopped at various jetties and product supply activities have also been stopped.
No trailers or vehicles used to transport goods have entered the port since morning. According to the protesting labor leaders, the port’s operations have come to a standstill. The protesters allege that the administration is adopting different methods to suppress the movement. A large number of police and army personnel have been deployed in the port and surrounding areas.
They have alleged that two members of the Sangram Parishad have been removed. Md. Ibrahim Khokon, one of the coordinators of the Port Security Sangram Parishad, said, “We have been on strike since morning, no work is being done anywhere.” The workers and employees did not join the work, expressing 100% support for the movement. He said that the port authority has chosen a different path to suppress the movement, saying, “I have received information that two of us, Shamsu Mia and Abul Kalam Azad, have been taken away by law enforcement officials.”
The Port Nationalist Workers’ Party called for a strike from January 31 to protest the decision to give the responsibility of managing the NCT to DP World. Later, they continued the movement under the banner of the Port Protection Sangram Parishad. The Sangram Parishad started a continuous strike from last Tuesday. Meanwhile, on Thursday, when the port workers and employees came to the Chittagong Port, they attacked Shipping Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain. After a meeting with him, the leaders of the Sangram Parishad announced a two-day suspension of their strike.
Then, at a press conference yesterday (February 7), the leaders of the Sangram Parishad announced a continuous strike from 8 am today. Their other demands include canceling the disciplinary measures taken so far against the agitating employees, not taking any legal action against them and withdrawing the chairman of the Chittagong Port.