Prime mover, trailer workers resume operations at Ctg port
Prime mover and trailer workers have returned to work after a three-day strike followed a clash at Faujdarhat DC Park of Sitakunda in Chattogram.
The strike was withdrawn at about 8pm on Friday after assurances were provided by the deputy police commissioner (port) during a meeting with the labour organisation leaders.
Following this, cargo transport operations resumed smoothly. Full-scale goods transport from the port resumed this morning.
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Abul Khair, general secretary of the Chattogram District Prime Mover and Trailer Workers Union, told The Business Standard, "We had a productive meeting with the deputy police commissioner of the port. They sincerely listened to our demands and agreed to address them, including keeping DC Park closed until a separate road is constructed. The DC Park area has been secured, and assurances have been given for treatment and compensation for injured workers."
On Tuesday evening, a clash broke out between DC Park guards and the goods transport workers over vehicle parking issues. This led the Chittagong District Prime Mover and Trailer Workers Union to call a strike, disrupting cargo transport and causing container congestion at the port.
In response, the Chattogram district administration held discussions with the union representatives. The strike was initially withdrawn after assurances, only to be reimposed on Wednesday upon discovering that DC Park had reopened.
To resolve the impasse, the deputy commissioner of the Port Division of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) engaged in further discussions with five representatives from the labour organisation. Ultimately, the workers resumed operations after receiving assurances that DC Park would remain closed.
However, the district administration remains opposed to a permanent closure of the DC Park. Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam said, "We have temporarily closed DC Park for three days for maintenance. There is no question of a permanent closure. Why should we close DC Park?"
The workers had four key demands: arresting the attackers, ensuring treatment and proper compensation for the injured, creating alternative routes for accessing DC Park, and ensuring overall safety for workers on the roads.
