Chattogram port paralyzed by strike: List of 183 protesting workers compiled, Jamaat issues ‘threats’

Chittagong port paralyzed by strike: Jamaat ‘threats’ by listing 183 protesting workers

Staff Correspondent

Workers at Chittagong Port have resumed an indefinite strike to protest the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and to press for four-point demands.

The strike began at 8 am on Sunday (February 8), bringing all operational activities at the port to a standstill.

Meanwhile, allegations have been made that Jamaat-e-Islami is threatening 183 workers who led the movement by preparing a list.

The employees are anxious about this incident and political conflict could break out at any time.

The coordinators of the Sangram Parishad said that their main demands are: canceling the decision to lease NCT to DP World, removing the chairman, withdrawing the measures taken against employees involved in the movement, and ensuring protection of workers’ rights.

A leader of the Sangram Parishad said, “The chairman’s action has broken the peace process. If the demands are not met, the movement will become stronger.”

The Chittagong Port Authority said that a strike would disrupt export and import activities and cause serious damage to the country’s trade. Trade organizations are also worried. The port handles millions of tons of goods daily, so the impact of the strike would be huge.

The government signed a memorandum of understanding to hand over the NCT operation to DP World. In 2025, several organizations filed a writ petition in the High Court alleging that a foreign company had been directly appointed without inviting tenders. The High Court issued a rule for further hearing and reserved the verdict for December 2025.

The shipping advisor said that efforts are underway to find a solution through negotiations.

However, leaders of the Sangram Parishad said that the program will continue if the demands are not met.