Published : 12 Oct 2026, 02:37 PM
Updated : 12 Oct 2026, 02:37 PM
Workers at Chittagong Port have launched a hunger strike demanding the cancellation of a concession agreement with Dubai-based DP World to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
The strike began after 11am on Monday at the port's One Stop Service Centre, organised by Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal and the Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad (Port Protection Struggle Council).
Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the council, said the protesters had given the government time to open talks, but it had taken no initiative.
“That is why we were forced into the hunger strike,” he said.
He said they were still willing to give the government more time.
“If it still does not sit down for talks, we will be forced to announce tougher and tougher programmes,” he warned.
Kabir said agreements with DP World had been cancelled in several countries, including Djibouti, and demanded that the NCT deal be scrapped as well.
Md Ibrahim Khokon, another leader of the council, questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement.
“We do not know what is in the NCT deal. The people of the country do not know either. We want the government to cancel this deal immediately.”
The concession agreement with DP World to operate the NCT was signed on Thursday afternoon at the Invest Bangladesh Auditorium in Dhaka.
Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Md Moniruzzaman signed on behalf of the port, while Essa Kazim signed for DP World.
The protesters announced the hunger strike on Thursday afternoon during a procession near the main entrance to the port building, following the signing of the agreement.