SCOP protests plan to hand over Chattogram port's NCT to foreign operator
Workers’ leaders say terminals built with public money should remain under local management; urge all to join tomorrow’s sit-in.
The Chattogram chapter of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SCOP) today (4 October) staged a human chain and protest rally against the government's decision to hand over the operation of Chattogram port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and its Overflow Container Yard (OCY) to a foreign operator for 15 years.
The protest was held in front of Chattogram Press Club, following the government's approval of the proposed 15-year operating agreement at the 31st meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on 1 October 2026.
The programme was chaired by SCOP Chattogram Joint Coordinator Mohammad Khorshed Alam and conducted by Joint Coordinator Robiul Haque Shimul.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Leaders from several labour organisations attended the programme, including TUC Chattogram district President Tapan Dutta, Labour Party Chattogram divisional organising secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, Bangladesh Sramik Federation President SK Khoda Toton, TUC Chattogram General Secretary Mashi Uddowlla, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal General Secretary SM Jamal, BFTUC Chattogram divisional President Kazi Anwarul Haque Honi, Bandar Jatiyatabadi Dock Sramik Dal General Secretary Taslim Uddin Selim, Socialist Workers Front Convener Md Helal Uddin Kabir, Bangladesh National Workers Federation Chattogram district General Secretary Md Zahed Uddin Shahin and BLF Chattogram Metropolitan President Nurul Absar Tawhid, among others.
Speakers said all terminals at Chattogram port were built with public funds and are currently being operated by Bangladeshi workers and employees.
They claimed local workers regularly exceed the port's container-handling targets and contribute substantial amounts to national revenue.
The labour leaders argued that there is no scope for significant new investment in the existing terminals because of the physical limitations of the river port.
Against this backdrop, they described the decision to hand over terminal operations to a foreign operator as part of what they called a domestic and international conspiracy.
"We strongly protest and oppose it," they said.
The speakers also argued that Bangladesh has opportunities to attract foreign investment without handing over existing port terminals.
They proposed allowing foreign investors to participate in developing a new seaport along the country's extensive Bay of Bengal coastline.
According to them, such a facility could increase Bangladesh's participation and capacity in international trade.
They said the geological characteristics of Bangladesh's continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal would allow large mother vessels to berth at such a seaport.
The labour leaders also called on people from across political and social affiliations in Chattogram to join a sit-in programme announced by the Chattogram Port Protection Committee for Monday.
They said the programme should be successful to pressure the government to reconsider what they described as a harmful decision concerning the operation of the port terminals.
