Written by The Banking Post
Operations at Chattogram Port remained paralysed on Tuesday as a strike by port workers and employees entered its fourth day, disrupting cargo handling and vessel movements at the country’s main seaport.
The 24-hour work stoppage began at 8:00am, bringing all activities to a standstill, including the loading and unloading of containers and break-bulk cargo at various jetties. No vehicles entered the port for cargo transportation, and handling equipment remained idle throughout the day.
The strike was called by the Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Committee in protest against the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign operator. The shutdown is scheduled to continue until 8:00am on Wednesday.
The committee’s coordinator said workers and employees had refrained from duties since morning in support of their demands, leaving port operations virtually at a halt. He added that no vessels arrived at or departed from the port during the day.
A berth operator said they were unable to engage workers for routine operations, resulting in mounting losses. He noted that no work was taking place at the general cargo berth due to the continued disruption.
The current 24-hour strike follows a series of eight-hour work stoppages observed from Saturday to Monday by the port’s nationalist labour group. The escalation came as opposition intensified against plans to hand over NCT operations to UAE-based DP World.
