Workers, leftist alliance support Chattogram Port blockade over foreign lease

A leader of the workers' federation says the leasing of ports to foreign firms “threatens national interest and sovereignty”

The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and the Left Democratic Alliance have joined the Chattogram Port blockade called by the Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) to protest the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Laldia Char terminal to foreign companies.

On Sunday, the federation held a meeting with representatives from 47 affiliated workers’ organisations in the Chattogram regional committee, where the decision was confirmed, according to a media statement.

Leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance also called for the blockade at a gathering at the Chattogram Old Railway Station.

The meeting was presided over by Mohammad Musha, president of the federation’s regional committee. Mrital Chowdhury, president of the federation’s eastern region (Chattogram and Sylhet) committee, and other leaders, including Executive President Robiul Mowla and General Secretary Oli Ahmed, were present.

Mrital criticised the leasing of the port -- adjacent to the Navy’s offices, an oil refinery, and the airport -- to Dubai-based DP World, saying the arrangement threatens national interest and sovereignty and allows unrestricted port access to foreign operators.

The SKOP’s Chattogram divisional convention on Saturday had announced the blockade for Nov 26, citing the leasing of NCT and other installations to foreign companies as a threat to national interest, workers’ livelihoods, and state security.