A meeting between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) today (24 November) failed to resolve the standoff over the proposed lease of New Mooring Container Terminal, with SKOP leaders insisting their 26 November blockade will proceed as announced.
The port authority, however, offered a different account. CPA Secretary Omar Faruk told The Business Standard this afternoon that the talks were successful and that labour leaders had agreed to withdraw their programme.
He also noted that the issue is currently before the High Court and warned that any movement could be treated as contempt.
According to a SKOP statement, the port authority called the meeting at 11am and the acting chairman, member (engineering), member (harbour and marine) and Faruk attended on behalf of CPA.
SKOP was represented by leaders including Tapon Dutta, Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar and SK Khoda Toton.
CPA officials briefed the delegation on the rationale behind engaging DP World for the NCT lease. They said no deal is possible in November, as the port chairman is on leave and the government cannot sign a strategic agreement once the election schedule is declared in early December.
SKOP leaders dismissed that explanation, referring to comments by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun on the day Laldia Char and Pangaon were leased out.
Harun had claimed the NCT contract would be finalised within a week, which SKOP says is unacceptable. They argue that an interim government lacks the moral and legal authority to sign long-term strategic deals.
The platform said it has been campaigning for over six months, with support now coming from workers nationwide, political groups and ordinary citizens.
SKOP reaffirmed that its 3-hour blockade will run from 10am to 1pm on 26 November. It has also realigned its protest points to Miler Matha (Seamen's Hostel), the Port Access Road toll plaza and the Bara Pool area.
Meanwhile, the Bandar Rokhya Parishad, which announced a separate blockade for today (24 November) evening, postponed its programme after meeting CPA.
Its spokesperson Hasan Maruf Rumee told TBS they will review the situation and announce a fresh schedule.
Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) / Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) / Port Authority / blockade