The Chattogram Bondor Rokkha Shongram Parishad suspended its strike at midnight, ending seven days of inactivity at the country’s main seaport.
Chittagong Port Authority Director (Administration) Mohammad Omar Faruk said all operations, including unloading containers from vessels and delivery activities, resumed on Monday morning.
The Parishad had observed the strike since 31 January in protest against the NCT lease process involving DP World.
A press release announcing the suspension of the work stoppage was issued by the Parishad, signed by its coordinators Md Humayun Kabir and Md Ibrahim Khokon.
According to the release, based on remarks made to journalists by Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, a decision was made not to sign the NCT agreement during the tenure of the current interim government.
Following what the leaders described as “satisfactory discussions,” the Parishad suspended its strike from 8am on Monday (9 February) until 15 February, citing the upcoming national election and the need to ensure the release of goods ahead of Ramadan.
In the release, the protesters warned they will hold a press conference on 16 February if several issues were not resolved. These include the alleged arrest and harassment of five employees, the transfer of 15 employees to other ports, disciplinary actions against protesting workers, cancellation of staff housing allocations, and the temporary suspension of 16 employees.
The movement, centered on the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World, had halted cargo unloading, container transport, and delivery operations, disrupting the entire import–export chain.
From 8am on Sunday, workers had virtually shut down activities at the port’s three terminals and outer anchorages, bringing operations to a standstill.
