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Activities disrupted at Chittagong port

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October 19, 2000 

Chittagong, Oct 18 (UNB) - Loading and unloading at Chittagong Port were disrupted today as Bandar Sramik Karmachhari Federation enforced an 8-hour work stoppage protesting the move to construct a private container terminal at Patenga.

Some 25,000 port workers abstained from their works from 8 am to force the government to cancel its decision to allow Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) to set up the terminal at the estuary of river Karnaphuli.

Loading and unloading from 38 ships were disrupted during the strike, port sources said.

They said 22 labour organisations of the port enforced work stoppage programmes for 32 times in last one and a half years to realise their various demands, causing colossal loss to the port.

If the proposed private container terminal is set up, the port workers alleged, it would cast a far-reaching adverse impact on the Chittagong Port.

Meanwhile, the city unit of NAP (Muzaffar) toady observed an 8-hour mass hunger strike in front of local Press Club from 9am in protest against the government decision.

Witnesses said SSA has already started work on the proposed terminal involving Tk 3,350 crore although it awaits a formal agreement with the government in this regard.