Workers to Block Chattogram Port Against Foreign Operators

The Workers–Employees Unity Council (SCOPE) has announced a three-hour blockade at all entry points of Chattogram Port next Wednesday, protesting the government’s reported plan to lease several port terminals to foreign operators. The blockade will take place from 10am to 1pm at the three key access points—Agrabad, Boropol and Milematha—effectively halting movement towards the port.

Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, General Secretary of the Divisional Workers’ Party and former General Secretary of the Chattogram Port CBA, declared the programme at a workers’ convention on Saturday. He urged all port workers and employees to unite, alleging that the decision to hand over port terminals to foreign entities threatens national assets and jeopardises labour rights. Alongside the blockade, SCOPE has also called for district-wide demonstrations to demand the implementation of its nine-point charter of labour reforms.

Bahar said that SCOPE and other labour groups have long been protesting the government’s attempts to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Laldiar Char and Pangaon Terminal to foreign companies. Despite ongoing litigation over NCT, he claimed, authorities were ignoring court directives. “We are hearing of secret meetings. Our position is clear: no terminal of Chattogram Port should be handed over to foreign operators,” he stated. He further alleged that meetings scheduled on 25, 26 and 27 November in Dhaka were intended to finalise a contract with global port operator DP World, including contract vetting on the 26th and signing on the 27th.

Labour Reform Commission Chairman Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said the crisis surrounding the port was part of a broader pattern involving privatisation of jute mills, closures of state-owned industries and erosion of workers’ rights. He called for the formation of a national platform to protect labour interests and urged business leaders to join the movement, saying the responsibility of safeguarding the port lies with both workers and the business community.

SCOPE reiterated its nine demands, including freedom of trade union activity, a unified labour law, an end to unfair dismissals, a minimum wage of 30,000 taka, reinstatement of cost-of-living allowances, reopening of closed state industries, abolition of outsourcing and guaranteed access to rations, housing, pensions, medical facilities, women’s dormitories and unemployment benefits. Several national labour leaders addressed the gathering and pledged unified action.