SKOP rallies today against CPA terminal leases

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 4: Port workers under the banner of Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), along with leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance, are scheduled to hold a rally at Sagarika, the entry point of Chattogram Port, on Friday, protesting the lease of the Laldia, Pangaon, and New Mooring terminals to international companies.

SKOP Joint Convener Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal's Chattogram division general secretary told this correspondent, "After holding the rally, we will bring out a torch procession surrounding the port areas. We shall continue our programme until our demands are met." He also warned that tougher measures would be announced if the authorities fail to address their concerns.

Earlier, on November 26, worker parties staged a blockade programme to protest the leasing agreements. Tapan Dutta, convenor of the Trade Union Centre's Chattogram chapter and a member of the Labour Reform Commission, said a fresh action plan would be framed at a meeting scheduled for December 5, following the announcement of the High Court verdict.
The controversy stems from concession agreements signed by the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) earlier this month. On November 17, the CPA signed an agreement with APM Terminals BV, a subsidiary of Danish shipping giant AP Moller Maersk, to build and operate the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) for 30 years. Simultaneously, the Swiss company Medlog SA was given a 22-year lease to operate the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Keraniganj.

The government has also advanced a deal with UAE-based DP World to operate the port's largest facility, the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The High Court has concluded hearings on a petition challenging the legality of awarding the NCT contract to a foreign company and is scheduled to announce the verdict on December 4.

The planned SKOP rally and torch procession underscore the growing opposition among port workers and trade unions to foreign involvement in key port operations.