Sramik Kalyan Federation warns against 'foreign takeover' of Ctg Port

Leaders of the Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation have warned against what they described as an ongoing conspiracy to hand over the country's main seaport to foreign operators without an open tender, calling it a direct threat to national sovereignty.

Speaking at a human chain in front of the Chattogram Press Club this morning (8 November), the organisation's Central Joint General Secretary and Chattogram city unit President, SM Lutfor Rahman, said the port's history is deeply tied to Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.

"Throughout history, foreign forces have invaded this port and robbed us of our freedom. Even now, under the guise of development, there are secret efforts to lease the port to international entities without any open bidding," Lutfor said.

"The port is not only the lifeline of our economy but also linked to the security of our nation. We will not tolerate any conspiracy involving it," he added.

The protest was organised by the Chattogram city unit of the Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation in response to reports of plans to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator without a competitive process. The organisation's Chattogram city General Secretary Abu Taleb Chowdhury conducted the event.

Lutfor Rahman alleged that the government, under the pretext of development, was pursuing policies that could compromise national interests.

"We want development, but not at the expense of our independence and sovereignty. The autocratic Sheikh Hasina government had once planned to hand this port over to foreign powers, and now her allies are rushing to finish that unfinished agenda," he claimed.

He urged the government to present a clear and transparent plan to modernise the port while keeping it under national ownership.

"If needed, foreign operators can be hired through open tenders — but we will not allow the port to be handed over through secret agreements," he said.

The labour leader also accused the Chattogram Port Authority of depriving thousands of port workers of their legal rights, including the right to form trade unions. "The port is a profitable organisation because of the workers, yet they are being denied their rightful benefits and punished for raising their voices," he said.

Speakers at the rally demanded reinstatement of workers' rights to form unions, holding of CBA elections, withdrawal of employers' names from workers' ID cards, equal pay for container delivery workers at NCT and CCT, fair daily wages for appraisal container workers, bonuses for loading and unloading labourers, a lump-sum retirement benefit of Tk60 lakh, and implementation of port duty allowances, risk allowances, and housing loan facilities.