Chittagong Port has once again been brought to a standstill as workers launched continuous strikes on Sunday morning (8 February) over several demands, including the cancellation of the decision to hand over the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the UAE-based company DP World.
From 8:00 am, port employees and labourers ceased all work across multiple jetties, halting the loading and unloading of goods and containers. Delivery operations have also come to a complete stop, with no trailers or transport vehicles entering the port since the early hours. Labour leaders stated that operational activities at the port have effectively ground to a halt.
Striking workers have alleged that authorities are taking alternative measures to suppress the movement. Large contingents of police and military personnel have been deployed across the port and surrounding areas. According to the protesters, two members of the Port Protection Struggle Council were taken into custody.
Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, one of the coordinators of the Port Protection Struggle Council, said: “Our strike has been ongoing since this morning. No work is being carried out anywhere in the port. Workers have given one hundred percent support to the movement and have not participated in their usual duties.”
Commenting on the authorities’ approach, Khokon added, “The port management has chosen a different path to quell the protest. We have received reports that law enforcement personnel have taken away Shamsu Mia and Abul Kalam Azad.”
The Nationalist Port Workers’ Party first called a strike on 31 January in opposition to the NCT management being transferred to DP World. Subsequently, the protest continued under the banner of the Port Protection Struggle Council, which launched continuous industrial action last Tuesday.
Earlier last Thursday, Shipping Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain visited the port to meet with workers. Following discussions, the council’s leadership suspended the strike for two days. However, on Saturday (7 February), the council held a press conference announcing a renewed strike starting at 8:00 am on Sunday.
In addition to revoking the DP World decision, the protesters have put forward several other demands, which are summarised below:
| Demand | Details |
|---|---|
| NCT Management Reversal | Cancel the decision to hand over operations to DP World |
| Punitive Measures | Revoke all disciplinary actions taken against striking employees |
| Legal Action | Ensure no legal proceedings are initiated against protestors |
| Port Leadership | Remove the current chairman of Chittagong Port |
The strike has effectively paralysed port operations, raising concerns about the potential backlog of goods and economic impacts. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, while labour leaders insist that they will continue their protest until all demands are met.