Chittagong Port Workers Begin Indefinite Strike over Foreign Lease of NCT Terminal

Port workers at Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port have launched an indefinite strike in protest against the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign terminal operators, including UAE-based DP World.

The non-stop work stoppage is being led under the banner of the Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council, which opposes the handover of NCT management to a foreign entity. According to the council, the strike has brought port operations to a standstill.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council, said authorities had taken several countermeasures, including transferring workers involved in the movement. Despite this, he confirmed that the workers had decided to continue the strike indefinitely until their demands are met.

Khokon stated that no work was carried out inside the port on Tuesday due to the strike action.

Earlier, the Chittagong Port unit of the Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal had observed an eight-hour strike on Saturday and Sunday to protest the decision. While the initial demonstrations were held under the Sramik Dal banner, the movement was later rebranded and continued under the Port Protection Struggle Council.

Port workers and employees also carried out an eight-hour strike from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday. This was followed by the launch of a 24-hour strike starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, which has now escalated into an indefinite stoppage.

The ongoing protest has resulted in a deadlock at Chittagong Port, with authorities transferring protesting employees in response to the strike.

“We have been peacefully protesting for reasonable demands. Port workers and employees are participating spontaneously, and this movement is in the interest of our country,” Khokon said.