Ctg ghat workers absent from work

Unloading of goods from lighter vessels at several private jetties on the bank of Karnaphuli river in Chittagong remained suspended since Thursday morning as a section of workers have been observing work abstention to press home a nine-point demand including increasing their wages.

At least 15 lighter vessels, including four anchored at four jetties out of 16 at Banglabazar and Majhirghat, are idle due to the work abstention, said Ataul Karim, an official of Water Transport Cell, a private organisation that allocates lighter vessels. These lighter vessels load imported goods from cargo vessels anchored at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port and carry them to the private jetties for unloading.

Sources said a section of workers who unload the goods and take them to different warehouses stopped working around 8:00am Thursday. Raja Mia, member secretary of Chattagram Ghat Gudam Sramik Sangram Committee, said warehouse contractors, who hire the ghat workers, in a meeting with leaders of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the workers on June 26 assured of increasing the workers' salary by 17 percent, effective from July 1.

However, as that was not done, some of the workers went on work abstention, Raja said. Abul Hashem, president of Ghat Contractor Association, said the issue would be soon solved with help from leaders of related business bodies.