SKOP announces Ctg Port blockade on Wednesday

The Shramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), Chattogram, has announced a blockade of the Chattogram Port on Wednesday (26 November) protesting the government’s move to lease port facilities—including the New Mooring Container Terminal—to foreign companies.

The announcement was made on Saturday afternoon by SKOP’s Joint Coordinator Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar during the Chattogram Divisional Trade Union Convention held at the July Revolution Memorial Hall of Chattogram Press Club.

“We have learned that meetings have been scheduled in Dhaka on the 25th, 26th, and 27th to finalise agreements with DP World regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal,” Bahar said.

“SKOP leaders in Chattogram have decided that on the 26th, from 10am to 1pm, we will blockade all entry points of the Chattogram Port,” he added.

He further announced that workers will stage blockades in Agrabad, Boropul, and Mile-er Matha areas of the city.

Additionally, SKOP leaders will organise protest processions in district towns across the division.

Bahar accused the government of violating court directives.

“There is an ongoing High Court case regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal. On 12 November, the court instructed the attorney general that no further action should be taken concerning the Chattogram Port. But on 16 November, they formed an evaluation committee and held meetings. They are not complying with the court order,” he alleged.

The event was attended by Sultan Uddin Ahmed, chief of the Labour Reform Commission; National Workers’ Alliance President Mezbah Uddin Ahmed; Bangladesh Workers’ Federation Central President SK Khoda Toton; and Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram District President and Labour Reform Commission member Tapan Dutta, among others.