After a two-day suspension, protesting workers have announced they will resume an indefinite strike from 8am on Sunday at Chattogram port, heightening concerns among port operators and traders about potential losses.
The decision also rejects the Chattogram Port Authority’s call for an emergency meeting of workers and employees from various departments scheduled for Sunday morning, with labour leaders citing deep mistrust of the port administration and rising tensions over the situation.
The renewed programme was announced at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club on Saturday noon by the Chattogram Bondar Rokkha Shongram Porishad, which is opposing the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal to Dubai-based DP World.
Leaders of the platform said that, unlike the previous phase of the protest—when unloading at the outer anchorage continued—no goods would be allowed to be unloaded at the port’s outer anchorage this time.
Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the organisation, announced the fresh programme and reiterated several demands, including the resignation of Chattogram Port Authority Chairman SM Moniruzzaman.
The organisation has been staging protest programmes since 31 January in opposition to the process of leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World.
Following talks with Shipping Adviser M Shakhawat Hossain on Thursday, the strike was suspended for two days.
However, the leaders said on Saturday that the suspension had ended and the indefinite strike would resume as scheduled.
Emergency meeting rejected
An official letter issued on Saturday instructed around 200 general employees and workers to attend an emergency meeting scheduled for 9:30am on Sunday at the conference room of the port building.
The letter, signed by Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refaet Hamim, directed department heads to ensure participation according to set quotas.
Attendance targets included 50 workers from the transport department, 80 from the mechanical department, 20 each from the safety, power and engineering departments, 15 from the finance and accounts department, and five from the inspection department, along with a specified number from other administrative branches.
The chief welfare officer was also instructed to ensure the presence of a further 100 nominated workers drawn from various categories.
The port authority said the meeting had been called to discuss “urgent matters” with general employees and workers, and instructed that the order be followed strictly.
Port police, the fire service and other relevant agencies were asked to remain on alert to ensure ecurity during the meeting.
However, Humayun Kabir, a coordinator of the Chattogram Bondar Rokkha Shongram Porishad, criticised the move, saying that calling selected workers based on departmental quotas did not amount to genuine dialogue.
“This looks more like control than consultation,” he said.
He added that the platform was boycotting the meeting and that workers would not attend, confirming that the indefinite strike at Chattogram port would continue from 8am on Sunday.
