Chittagong Port cancels housing for 15 staff transferred after joining protests against NCT lease

Port authority scraps housing allotments after employees defy transfer orders

Chittagong Port Authority has cancelled housing allocations for 15 employees who joined protests against leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company.

The order, signed on Sunday by Acting Director (administration) Nasir Uddin, follows earlier transfers of the employees to Mongla and Payra ports.

Among those losing housing are Ibrahim Khokon and Humayun Kabir, coordinators of the Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council, which has led demonstrations against the lease plan.

Workers began a strike on Jan 31 under the banner of the BNP aligned labour wing.

From the next day, protests continued under the council.

Port authorities have already transferred 16 employees involved in the movement.

Sunday’s order stated: “On Feb 2, after transfer, they were asked to join their new workplaces within two working days. But they have not yet joined. In this situation, the housing allocated to them (if any) is cancelled.”