The indefinite strike at Chattogram Port has been suspended after the interim government assured that no lease deal for the New Mooring Container Terminal would be signed during its tenure, protest leaders said early Monday.
The work stoppage was called off around 12:30 am following government assurances on the proposed lease of the terminal to global port operator DP World, according to Mohammad Ibrahim Khokon, a coordinator of the Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council.
Port workers had begun the strike on Sunday morning to oppose the planned lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal and to press several other demands.
The protest disrupted port operations and raised concerns over import-export trade ahead of Ramadan and the national election.
Despite the suspension of the strike, port authorities have taken action against protesters. Seventeen workers have been suspended, including three who were earlier taken into custody.
Authorities have also ordered 15 union leaders to vacate government-allocated housing, according to port sources.
Earlier, Ashik Chowdhury, chief executive officer of the Public-Private Partnership Authority and executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, said the interim government would not sign any lease agreement with DP World during its time in office.
Leaders of the Port Protection Movement Council said they decided to pause the strike considering the national interest, including the smooth flow of trade, the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, and the election schedule.
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