CHATTOGRAM, Jan 30: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has taken a tough stance on creation of any chaos over the court verdict regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong port.
The CPA issued a circular signed by Omar Faruk, Director (Administration), to this effect. The circular was sent to the media on Friday (January 30). According to the circular, officials and employees who participate in processions, drills, and protests during office hours will face disciplinary action.
The notice said that on Thursday at 11:30 am during office hours, some port employees marched on the building premises against the court verdict on NCT. At that time, they made negative comments against the court's decision and created chaos by gathering in groups.
The notice said that protests, meetings, processions, and comments on social media platforms against government decisions were clear professional misconduct and punishable offences under the 'Government Employees (Conduct) Rules-1979' and 'Chittagong Port Employees Service Regulations-1991' and prevailing laws. Such activities were disrupting the normal operations of the port, which was against the national interest, it added.
The notice further stated that strict legal and administrative action would be taken against those involved if they did not refrain from such acts in the future.
The Chittagong port workers and employees had been protesting against the initiative to transfer the responsibility of managing NCT to a foreign company. The protests were held under the banners of various labour organisations at the port's car shed and surrounding areas since Thursday morning. Labour leaders saw the decision to lease the NCT to a foreign company against national interest and demanded its cancellation.
Earlier at a press conference held at the Chattogram Press Club on Thursday, the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal's port unit announced a two-day strike protesting the government's move to lease the NCT to Dubai-based DP World. As a result, all operational activities at the port will remain suspended from 8am to 4pm today (Saturday). Administrative activities will be shut down from 8:00pm to 4:00pm tomorrow (Sunday). Organisers said the next phase of the movement would be announced at 5:00pm on Sunday.
General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal's Chittagong Port unit Ibrahim Khokon alleged that the government had completed all procedures to hand over the NCT to DP World amid nationwide political unrest. He said, "The country is going through election-related turmoil. Taking advantage of this situation, the government has finalised the process of handing over NCT to a foreign company. We have been protesting this for the last one and a half years, but the government is sacrificing national interests to implement a foreign agenda."
nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com
