Crane operators' demo stalls Ctg port container handling

Container handling at some jetties of the Chittagong port was hampered yesterday as ship crane operators staged a demonstration for an hour over financial benefits.

They demanded that they be listed with the port workers unit to get the benefits of a listed worker.

The protest affected four container ship jetties under GCB Terminal and four jetties in New Mooring Container Terminal, Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of Ship Handling and Terminal Operators Owners Association, told The Daily Star.

Several hundred workers under the banner of Chittagong Port Users Workers League brought out processions from different areas, including Barik Building Moor and Saltgola Crossing, to meet with a rally at Nimtala intersection around 10:30am. The dock workers, merchant workers, lashing workers had already been enlisted in the unit although a shipping ministry order is already there to include the crane operators in the list, said Mir Nawshad Ali, the league's president.

Ali later threatened to wage tougher movements if their demands are not met.

Chowdhury said the demand contradicted the job contracts as the crane operators were employed by the private berth, ship and terminal operators, not the port.