Chittagong Port moves four employees over industrial action against foreign lease

The transfers are part of the routine process, not a reaction to the protest, says the port director

Following a work stoppage at the Chittagong Port, four employees who led protests against the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operators have been transferred to the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Dhaka’s Keraniganj.

An office order on Saturday instructed them to report to the Pangaon internal terminal on Sunday.

The transferred employees are: Md Humayun Kabir, audit assistant; Md Ibrahim Khokon, engine driver of the Marine Department; Anwarul Azim, senior accounts assistant; and Faridur Rahman from the Engineering Department.

Ibrahim is general secretary of the Port Nationalist Workers’ Party; Humayun is its publicity secretary; Anwarul and Faridur are members.

Protests were held against the government’s decision to lease NCT to Dubai-based DP World.

The port workers staged an operational strike on Saturday from 8am to 4pm, halting port activities. Another strike is scheduled for Sunday.

Commenting on the transfers, Khokon told bdnews24.com: “We demand the immediate reversal of this decision. The transfers were issued on a weekly holiday, likely due to the protests. Authorities should withdraw this decision to avoid disruption.”

“Authorities are reportedly listing employees involved in the protests. This will benefit no one. If such actions continue, stricter measures will follow after Sunday’s strike.”

Explaining the protests, Khokon said: “For national and port security, and for geographical reasons, we oppose leasing NCT to foreign operators.

“No country gives all terminals to foreign operators. We were pursuing a peaceful, democratic protest, but the authorities chose transfers instead of dialogue.”

Port Director (Administration) Md Omar Faruk confirmed the transfers, saying they are part of routine administrative procedures.