Cancellation of decision to appoint foreign operators at Ctg port demanded

Bangla Press Desk: Workers at a protest programme have demanded the cancellation of the decision to appoint foreign operators for three terminals of Chattogram port.

The demand was made during a mass hunger strike organised by the Sramik Karmachari Okiya Parishad (SKOP) in front of Chattogram Press Club on Saturday.

Various worker groups, including the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Bangladesh Sramik Federation, Trade Union Center (TUC), Jatiya Sramik Federation, Bam Ganotantrik Morcha, and Fasibad Birodhi Bam Morcha, participated in the hunger strike, which continued from 10am to 4pm. Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain said, “If the [interim] government tries to hand over the port to foreign operators, we will resist. They don’t have the mandate to make such decisions.”

“Let there be elections. The elected government will make decisions on such matters,” he said.

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal (Chattogram Division) Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar warned that if their demands are not met, they will be forced to wage tougher movements like strikes.

TUC Chattogram District President and Labour Reforms Commission member Tapan Dutta emphasised that the decision to hand over a profitable entity like Chattogram port to foreign operators is politically motivated.

He alleged that the port is being given away as part of broader geopolitical interests in Southeast Asia.

Bangladesh Sramik Federation President SK Khoda Toton raised questions about the interim government's actions, asking, “Why is the port being leased despite opposition from the people?”

“The port should continue to operate as it has been. We don’t want Bangladesh to turn into Syria,” Toton added.

Earlier in the morning, the workers, employees, labour leaders, and activists gathered in front of Chattogram Press Club, chanting slogans.

BP/SP