Labour leaders have urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to announce the cancellation of the agreement with DP World to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), calling for modernisation under local management to protect national interests and workers' rights.
The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) made the demand at a press conference at Chattogram Press Club today (19 October), a day before the prime minister's scheduled visit to the port city.
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal Chattogram Divisional Committee President AM Nazim Uddin read out the written statement.
SKOP welcomed the prime minister's visit and urged the government to protect national assets, retain local control over vital port terminals and safeguard workers' rights.
The labour platform said the agreement with DP World, signed on 8 October, should not have been finalised without a thorough assessment of its financial terms, long-term implications and national interest.
It demanded publication of the full contract and an independent review by experts.
According to SKOP, the government has invested around Tk2,700 crore in NCT's infrastructure and machinery, while the value of its assets, including land, could exceed Tk5,000 crore.
It called for a public comparison of the financial benefits and risks of handing over the terminal in exchange for around Tk600 crore in signing money and a Tk1,000 crore investment commitment over the first 10 years.
SKOP also questioned claims that foreign management would improve efficiency, saying NCT handled nearly 13.85 lakh TEUs in fiscal 2025-26 under local management, against a published annual target of 12.30 lakh TEUs for DP World.
It called for clear performance targets and implementation obligations.
The organisation also raised concerns over plans to lease the Chattogram Container Terminal and General Cargo Berth to foreign operators, warning that this could weaken local expertise and increase reliance on foreign companies in handling the country's trade.
It also demanded an independent audit of investment commitments under the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) lease and written guarantees protecting port workers' jobs, wages, allowances, pensions, trade union rights and collective bargaining rights.
SKOP questioned why similar foreign management arrangements were not being pursued at Mongla and Payra ports.
It also called for verification of reports that Customs would be able to inspect only up to 60% of containers under DP World's operation, stressing that the claim should be checked against the contract.
The labour platform said it supported port modernisation and foreign technology, including investment models such as Build-Operate-Transfer for new terminals.
However, it argued that operational control of existing terminals built with public funds should not be transferred without protecting national interests, financial benefits and workers' rights.
SKOP called for cancellation of the NCT deal, disclosure of its terms, an independent review committee, modernisation under local management and verification of the PCT investment commitments.
It urged workers, port users, businesses and civil society to unite to protect national assets and local control of the port.
SKOP Chattogram Joint Coordinator Khorshedul Alam, Bangladesh Sramik Federation President SK Khoda Toton, Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal Organisational Secretary SM Jamal Uddin, Chattogram Divisional Committee Senior Joint Secretary Abdul Baten, Trade Union Centre Central Organiser Fazlul Kabir Mintu, Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress General Secretary KM Shahidullah, Bangladesh Labour Foundation city committee President Nurul Absar Touhid, among other labour leaders, were present at the press briefing.