Loading-unloading of goods from moored ships at Chittagong Port remained halted throughout Friday after light vessel workers launched an indefinite strike effectively shutting down goods transportation at different parts of the country.
The strike was later called off at night following a three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting with local authorities, people familiar with the matter said. Goods operations resumed immediately after the strike ended.
“Authorities have agreed to fulfil our main demand of cancelling the lease of Charpara Ghat. That is why we called off the strike,” said Jasim Uddin, acting general secretary of the Lighter Vessel Workers Union.
On Thursday, the lighter vessel workers announced the work stoppage during a rally under the banner of ‘vessel workers of all levels,’ at the city's Banglabazar area.
Removal of Chattogram Port chairman, removal of Officer-in-Charge of Patenga police station, cancelling lease of Charpara terminal used for movement of lighter vessel workers, and creation of a safe harbour for lighter vessels by excavating the Sangu River estuary, are among their five-point demands.
On November 3, men of some leaseholders of Charpara terminal had beaten up some nine workers and the police did not take any action against it, said Jashim Uddin, acting general secretary of Lighter Vessel Workers Union.
Protesting the incident, workers moved all the lighter vessels to Parkir Char and started using the Chinese Ghat to get on and off the vessels but the authorities evicted that terminal too, he said.
Until the demands are fulfilled freight operation from Chattogram through rivers will remain suspended, he said.
