Transport of containers at Chittagong Port resumed at 6 am on Thursday, ending a 34-hour suspension caused by a strike among prime mover drivers. The strike began at 8 pm on Tuesday following a violent altercation between prime mover drivers and security personnel at DC Park in Fouzderhat, Sitakunda.
The work stoppage severely disrupted container transportation to and from the port, resulting in a vessel departing without over 100 TEUs of export containers, while another vessel postponed its scheduled departure.
Selim Khan, president of the Chittagong District Prime Mover Trailer Workers Union, announced that the strike was called off at 5 am after the union filed a complaint with the Sitakunda Police Station against approximately 30 individuals, including security guards from DC Park, for the alleged assault on the prime mover workers.
Following the filing of the complaint, drivers began to return to work, according to Khan. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) Secretary General Rahul Amin Sikder confirmed that drivers at various private container depots also resumed operations shortly after 6 am.
Union leaders had attempted to end the strike the previous night after a productive three-hour meeting with Chittagong’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) that concluded around 9 pm on Wednesday. However, general workers refused to return to their duties until the case was filed.
During the meeting, the district administration agreed to temporarily close DC Park in response to the workers’ demands. Union representatives claimed that around 35 prime mover workers were assaulted at the park on Tuesday evening, which led to the initial clash.
The incident began around 7 pm when a prime mover driver, en route to the BM Container Depot from the port, failed to slow down while a security guard signaled for a private car to exit the parking lot, resulting in a minor collision. The driver was subsequently assaulted by security staff, prompting a retaliatory response from other prime mover workers.
The unrest escalated as transport workers suspended operations and blockaded streets near Chittagong port, creating significant traffic congestion leading to Chattogram Airport.
With operations now back to normal, port authorities and transport unions are hopeful for a more stable working environment moving forward.
Chittagong Port in Bangladesh is a major gateway for international trade and is used to export ready-made garments (RMG).
