Written by The Banking Post
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has taken a hard line against protests by port workers over the court verdict on the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), warning of disciplinary and legal action if demonstrations disrupt operations.
In a circular issued on Friday, signed by the CPA’s Director (Administration), the port authority said officials and employees who take part in rallies, processions or protests during office hours will face punishment under service rules and prevailing laws.
The notice referred to an incident on Thursday at around 11:30am when a group of port employees marched within the port premises during office hours, made remarks against the court verdict and created disorder. Such actions, the CPA said, constitute professional misconduct under the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1979, and the Chittagong Port Employees Service Regulations, 1991.
The authority also warned that protests, meetings and comments on social media opposing government decisions disrupt normal port operations and go against national interest. It said strict administrative and legal measures would be taken if such activities continue.
The warning comes amid growing labour unrest over the government’s move to hand over management of the NCT to a foreign operator. Since Thursday morning, port workers and employees, under various labour banners, have been staging protests at the port’s car shed and surrounding areas, demanding cancellation of the plan.
At a press conference on Thursday, the port unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal announced a two-day strike in protest against the proposed leasing of the NCT to DP World. Under the programme, port operations are set to remain suspended from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, while administrative activities will be shut from 8:00pm Saturday to 4:00pm Sunday. Organisers said the next phase of the movement would be announced on Sunday evening.
“We have been protesting this for the last one and a half years, but the government is sacrificing national interests to implement a foreign agenda,” said the general secretary of the port unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, alleging that the decision was finalised amid election-related political unrest.
