48-Hour transport strike strands thousands of containers at Chittagong Port

CHITTAGONG : Shippers are facing significant disruptions at Chittagong Port as transport operators began a 48-hour strike this morning, halting the movement of export and import containers. The strike, led by the Chittagong District Prime Move Trailer Workers Union, is expected to impact between 3,000 and 4,000 teu (twenty-foot equivalent units) daily.

Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), warned that if the strike continues, many containers will miss their scheduled feeder and mother vessels, causing further delays in the supply chain.

The union’s president, Selim Khan, blamed the strike on two major transport operators, Mohammadia Enterprise and Asif International, accusing them of failing to meet the terms of an agreement signed in April. The agreement included provisions for appointment letters, identity cards, and minimum wage requirements, none of which have been fully implemented, according to Khan.

While some transport companies have complied with the demands, Khan stated that others, particularly members of the owners’ association, are delaying their implementation. The union has vowed to continue the strike until a satisfactory resolution is reached.

However, the legality of the strike has been called into question by Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, general secretary of the Bangladesh Covered Van-Truck-Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association. He argued that the strike is unlawful, citing the Road Transport Act of 2018, which does not mandate appointment letters for goods transport drivers. As a result, 117 prime movers have been out of operation since October 6.