Chittagong, Feb 04 (V7N) — Port workers and employees have begun an indefinite strike from Wednesday (February 4) to protest the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chittagong Port to foreign company DP World.

Earlier, the workers observed eight-hour strikes for three consecutive days starting Saturday, followed by a 24-hour strike on Tuesday.

As part of the protest, workers have halted all operations, including container handling, effectively bringing the country’s main seaport to a standstill. As a result, import and export activities have been suspended, creating severe congestion of goods at the port and related facilities.

The protesters said they would continue the movement until the government cancels the decision to lease the NCT to United Arab Emirates-based DP World.

Meanwhile, on Monday (February 2), Shipping and Labor and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain said the NCT lease agreement is still under process.

“If the agreement is in the country’s interest, it will go ahead; otherwise, it will not,” he said.

He added that the government was not acting against national interests, questioning the motive behind the ongoing protests.

“I still do not know in whose interest the movement is being held,” he said.

END/SMA/AJ