Archive · 1 Nov 2025
Bangladesh Dockers Strike Against Port Lease to Foreign Firms
Imagine Bangladesh has a very important dock where ships bring and take away goods.
Some people who work at the dock and others who support them are very unhappy because the government wants to let a foreign company run one part of the dock.
They are holding a hunger strike to show they are serious.
They say this part of the dock was built with their own money and is already doing a great job.
They worry that giving it to foreigners might not be good for their country.
The government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, believes that bringing in the best international companies will make the dock even better and help connect Bangladesh with other countries.
The workers are threatening to stop working and block the port if the government doesn't change its mind.
Port workers in Chattogram, Bangladesh, staged a hunger strike protesting the interim government's decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operators.
Protestors argue the decision is against national interest and that the NCT, built with domestic funds, is a successful terminal.
The interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, aims to lease the terminal to international operators like DP World to create a world-class facility.
Concerns have been raised by security experts about potential threats to Bangladesh's sovereignty due to the lease.
Workers threatened further actions, including work stoppages and blockades, if the government does not retract the plan.
- Who
- Port workers, activists, and union leaders
- What
- Staged a mass hunger strike and protested against the interim government's decision to lease key port terminals to foreign operators.
- When
- Saturday (specific date not mentioned, but report dated Nov 1)
- Where
- Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Why
- Concerns that the lease is against national interest, that the terminals were built with domestic funds and are successful, and potential threats to national sovereignty.
Protesters (Workers and Activists)
Interim Government (Professor Muhammad Yunus)
Leasing of Port Terminals
Protesters (Workers and Activists)
The decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operators is against the national interest, as the terminal was built with domestic funds and is already highly successful. The state should protect public assets.
Interim Government (Professor Muhammad Yunus)
Leasing the NCT to the 'best' and 'most experienced' international port operators, like DP World, is necessary to turn the port into a world-class facility and foster regional economic ties. The chosen operators have not threatened sovereignty elsewhere.
National Interest and Sovereignty
Protesters (Workers and Activists)
Handing over key port infrastructure to foreign firms could endanger Bangladesh's sovereignty.
Interim Government (Professor Muhammad Yunus)
The government's move is in the national interest and claims that the international operators chosen do not pose a threat to any country's sovereignty or national security.
Management of Existing Facilities
Protesters (Workers and Activists)
It makes no sense to lease terminals that Bangladesh developed and has been operating successfully for decades.
Interim Government (Professor Muhammad Yunus)
Bangladesh has not explored the full potential of its ports, and upgrading them with international expertise is a priority for economic growth and regional connectivity.
- Location
- Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Port Involved
- New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Chattogram Port
- Lease Interests
- DP World (UAE), AP Moller-Maersk (Denmark)
- Protesting Body
- Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) and other worker/political groups
- Government Decision
- Leasing NCT to foreign operators
- Expected Agreement Signing
- December