An indefinite strike by workers and employees at Chittagong Port has brought all port operations to a complete standstill, as protests continue against the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based multinational logistics firm DP World.

The strike began at 8:00am on Wednesday following a call from the Port Protection Movement Council. As a result, activities at jetties, terminals, sheds, and yards have been suspended.

All operations at the port have been suspended, including the loading and unloading of containers and break-bulk cargo from vessels. Delivery of imported goods, container handling, berthing and unberthing of ships, transport of containers to and from off-docks, and the movement of cargo vehicles inside the port have also come to a halt.

Port Protection Movement Council coordinator Md Humayun Kabir said the strike would continue until the government withdraws from the NCT leasing process.

The protest movement escalated after the council observed an eight-hour strike for three consecutive days from Saturday to Monday. Following the conclusion of that programme, a 24-hour strike was announced starting at 8:00am on Tuesday.

Later the same day, another coordinator, Md Ibrahim Khokon, announced an indefinite strike from 8am on Wednesday.
In response to the protests, the port authority transferred four employees involved in the demonstrations after the first day of the strike on Saturday and formed a six-member committee to assess revenue losses caused by the work stoppage.

On Sunday, 12 more employees were transferred.
On Monday, another 15 protesting employees were transferred to Mongla and Payra ports, according to an office order issued by the Ministry of Shipping.