The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) Chattogram unit and the Chattogram Port Islami Sramik Sangha held separate protest programmes on Sunday against the government’s decision to hand over the operation of Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Overflow Container Yard (OCY) to a foreign operator for 15 years.
The labour organisations demanded that the terminals, which were developed with public funds, remain under domestic management and that the interests and employment of port workers be protected.
Following the approval of a 15-year operational agreement at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on October 1, SKOP’s Chattogram chapter organised a human chain and protest rally in front of Chattogram Press Club.
SKOP Chattogram Coordinator Mohammad Khorshed Alam presided over the programme, moderated by Coordinator Rabiul Haque Shimul. TUC Chattogram District President Tapan Dutta and leaders of various political and labour organisations addressed the rally.
The speakers said all major terminals at Chattogram Port had been developed with public funds and that local workers had consistently contributed to the port’s container-handling performance and national revenue.
They questioned the need to appoint a foreign operator for the NCT and OCY, arguing that the facilities had already been developed and were being successfully operated by local workers.
The speakers also expressed concern that transferring the terminals to a foreign operator could adversely affect the employment and interests of port workers.
Islami Sramik Sangha submits memorandum
Meanwhile, Chattogram Port Islami Sramik Sangha organised a separate protest rally and procession in front of the port’s One-Stop Service Centre on Sunday.
The organisation submitted a memorandum to the port authorities containing an eight-point list of demands, including opposition to the appointment of a foreign operator for the NCT.
The rally was presided over by Islami Sramik Sangha President Mohammad Helal Uddin and moderated by General Secretary Md Yasin. Maqbul Ahmad Bhuiyan, vice-president of the Sramik Kalyan Federation’s Chattogram metropolitan unit, attended as chief guest.
Following the rally, the workers brought out a protest procession before submitting the memorandum to the port authorities.
In the memorandum, the labour leaders said the Patenga Container Terminal and the terminal under construction at Laldiar Char had already been awarded to foreign entities.
They expressed concern that appointing foreign operators for the NCT, CCT and General Cargo Berth (GCB)—which they said were developed with domestic funds and successfully operated by local workers—would have a serious impact on the employment and interests of port workers and employees.
The labour organisations called on the government to reconsider the decision and ensure that port workers’ employment and rights are protected in any future arrangement for operating the terminals.
