Sacked dockers call hartal at Mongla

Over 4,000 sacked dockers of Mongla port have called a half-day hartal (strike) at Mongla upazila headquarters including the port area on Tuesday to press home their five-point demand.
The demands include payment of all arrears, cancellation of labour law (amendment) ordinance 2008 promulgated by immediate past Caretaker Government, immediate action against 11 mafias detected by the parliamentary standing committee of the Ministry of Shipping in 2004, re-installation of call station booking system and removal of corrupt officials of Mongla Port Authority.
They announced their hartal call at a rally held at Mongla Shramik Sangha maidan on Saturday.
They will also bring out a hungry procession on April 9. They will carry empty plates and utensils in the procession. They declared that they will lay a siege to the office of Mongla Port Authority on April 12 if their demands are not met by today.
The sacked dockers will go on a tougher agitation after April 12 if their demands are not met within the stipulated period, said Mongla Port Sramik Sangha General Secretary Shahabuddin Ahmed.
Meanwhile, security measures have been stepped up in Mongla Port area following announcement of the hartal.
Stern action will be taken against those who will try to hamper normal cargo handling at the port, said a senior official of the port authority.