Employees of Chattogram Port have declared an indefinite strike at the port commencing tomorrow morning, over the lease out of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based operator, DP World.

The strike was announced by Md Humayun Kabir and Md Ibrahim Khokan, coordinators of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, during a press conference at Chattogram Press Club at 12:30pm today.

The workers have announced four principal demands, including the cancellation of the proposal to transfer the NCT to DP World, the dismissal of the port chairman, and the initiation of a comprehensive investigation into corruption allegations against him.

The protestors have further announced the suspension of cargo delivery from mother vessels at the port's outer anchorage during the strike.

Yesterday, the employees announced to resume indefinite work stoppage from tomorrow, accusing the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) of backtracking on dialogue by seeking travel bans and asset probes against protest leaders.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad held at a club near Port Colony in the evening.

Following the meeting, agitating employees marched onto the road near Port Colony and burned an effigy of the CPA chairman at around 8:00pm.

The port had remained tense throughout the day as employees awaited the outcome of talks, while port users and businesses expressed concern over possible disruptions if operations are halted again.

Operations at the port had been disrupted since February 3 after workers and employees went on work abstention, opposing the move to hand over NCT operations to UAE-based DP World.