Workers at Chattogram’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) have launched an indefinite strike against the proposed lease of the terminal to global port operator DP World, demanding cancellation of the deal and assurances on workers’ rights. The protest has brought port operations, including loading, unloading, and container movement, to a near standstill.
Labour leaders under the Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad (Port Protection Struggle Council) said the strike will continue until the government addresses their demands, including cancellation of the DP World agreement, withdrawal of punitive measures against workers, and removal of the Chattogram Port Authority chairman.
Addressing the situation at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, Chief Executive Officer of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, said no final agreement with DP World will be signed during the tenure of the current interim government.
“DP World has appreciated the progress of negotiations and requested more time to review the Draft Concession Agreement. With only a few days left in this government’s schedule, it is highly unlikely that the contract will be finalized before the next administration takes over,” Ashik Chowdhury said.
He added that the NCT project, initially launched in 2019, has now entered a final and intensive phase of negotiations. While the PPP Authority is supporting the process, it does not act as the final decision-making body.
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Ashik Chowdhury also highlighted broader investment priorities for Bangladesh, noting that energy sufficiency, improved logistics capacity, and free trade agreements (FTAs) with different countries are essential to attract foreign investment.
Meanwhile, workers have strongly opposed the DP World lease, arguing that handing over the terminal to a foreign operator undermines national interest and threatens job security for port employees. The strike has caused significant disruption to cargo flow, with thousands of containers delayed and businesses warning of a ripple effect on exports and imports.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and other officials were present at the press briefing in Dhaka, where Ashik Chowdhury reaffirmed that the government remains committed to medium-term investment development while ensuring the concerns of workers and national interest are considered.
