Labor Leaders Meet to Ensure Success of October 5 Chittagong Port Sit-in

Leaders of trade unions and worker-employee alliances gathered at the Sultan Ahmad Hall of the Chittagong Press Club on Sunday, September 20, to ensure the success of a daylong sit-in scheduled for October 5 in front of the Chittagong Port Building. Organized by the Chittagong Port Protection Committee, the joint exchange meeting brought together representatives from national federations and basic unions. The gathering was chaired by Engineer Mr. Delwar Majumder, Convener of the committee, and moderated by Member Secretary Mr. Fazlul Kabir Mintu. Participants focused on mobilizing widespread support to protest the proposed long-term lease of major port facilities.

Labor leaders expressed deep concern over plans to hand over the profitable New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) to the foreign firm DP World. Protesters urged the government to evaluate the long-term national benefits and risks before finalizing any lease agreement. They requested an immediate national-level dialogue to address public concerns and clarify what benefits the nation stands to gain. Emphasizing the port’s status as Bangladesh’s primary import-export hub, speakers asserted that national interests, economic sovereignty, and worker welfare must remain paramount in all future administrative decisions.

The organizing leaders clarified that their primary objective is to draw government attention through peaceful demonstrations, while issuing a firm warning against ignoring their demands. Union representatives cautioned, ‘It would be a mistake for the government to view our peaceful sit-in and demonstration as a sign of weakness.’ They stated that if the administration fails to respond, tougher programs including public blockades and strikes could be announced. Activists underscored that the livelihoods of thousands of port workers and the stability of the broader national economy depend directly on keeping key infrastructure under public oversight.

The session featured speeches from prominent trade union figures, including Mr. Tapan Dutta, Mr. Kazi Shekh Nurullah Bahar, Mr. S.K. Khoda Toton, Mr. S.M. Jamal Uddin, Mr. Iftekhar Kamal Khan, Md. Harun, and Mr. Taslim Hossain Selim. Leaders from various affiliated bodies, such as the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, TUC, Samajtantrik Sramik Front, and the Port Winch Crane Operators Association, voiced unified support for the cause. The meeting concluded with a passionate call to action, urging workers across all sectors and labor union members to gather en masse at the port entrance on October 5 to ensure a successful demonstration.

This upcoming sit-in builds upon a series of ongoing protests against leasing out the self-funded and consistently profitable terminal facilities. Previous actions included a major protest rally and demonstration held on September 14 at the Barik Building Intersection near Chittagong Port. Similar rallies and discussions have been organized under the banners of the Chittagong Port Protection Committee, the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), and multiple political alliances. Labor organizers reiterated that protests will continue until the decision to lease the NCT and CCT to foreign operators is formally reviewed and canceled.