Shipping adviser faces workers’ protest at Ctg port
The protest subsided after the adviser assured the workers that he would return to Chattogram for a more focused discussion of their concerns
Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain encountered protests from port workers during his visit to Chittagong Port today (6 February).
As he entered the port's car shed, leaders and activists of the Chattogram Port Nationalist Workers' Party surrounded him, expressing their dissatisfaction over concerns about the potential privatisation of the port's Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and New Mooring Container Terminal (NMCT) yards.
The labour representatives urged a meeting with the adviser to discuss their demands, highlighting that the privatisation of these yards would negatively impact employment opportunities.
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Ibrahim Khokon, chief coordinator of the Chattogram Port Nationalist Workers' Party, said, "The CCT and NMCT yards are crucial built-in facilities. Proper management by the port authority can make the port more profitable and generate around 4,000 jobs. We wanted to meet the adviser to urge him not to privatise these yards. Despite submitting a letter to the port chairman on February 4, we faced non-cooperation from certain port officials, leaving us with no choice but to protest."
The protest subsided after the adviser assured the workers that he would return to Chattogram for a more focused discussion of their concerns.
"I listened to their grievances since I oversee the shipping and labour ministries. I have promised to return to Chattogram to engage in a more serious dialogue with them," said the adviser.
