Mongla port workers demand payment of arrears

Over 3000 retrenched dock workers of Mongla Port yesterday demanded payment of salary arrears and retirement benefits before the next parliamentary elections.
They placed the demand at a rally in the port area under the banner of Mongla Sramik Sangha with its Convener Rashid Talukder in the chair.
Labour leaders at the programme threatened to launch a tough agitation to paralyse the port operations, if necessary if the workers' demand is not met.
The workers were retrenched due to the introduction of berth operating system on August 1 this year.
Under the new system, stevedores' association got the authority to appoint dockers for gang booking. Berth operating system was introduced abolishing Mongla dock workers management board which was run under political influence.