In a bold move against the government's recent decision, hundreds of port workers and trade union leaders staged a hunger protest outside the Chattogram Press Club on 1 November. The demonstration aimed to oppose the interim government's plan to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Laldiya Char to Dubai-based DP World.

Organised by the Chattogram Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), the protest began at 9 a.m. and drew support from various affiliated unions. Leaders vowed to keep up pressure until the lease agreement is revoked.

SKOP spokesperson Md Anwar Hossain criticised the transfer, calling it ‘detrimental to national interests.’ He highlighted that the NCT was built with local funds and modern technology, emphasising its success as Bangladesh’s most efficient container terminal. ‘This move is unacceptable under any circumstances,’ he declared.

Former Port CBA secretary Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar urged the government to prioritise safeguarding public assets rather than selling or leasing them. He also condemned ongoing harassment of port workers through administrative notices.

Prominent labour figures, including Tapan Dutta of the Trade Union Council (TUC) and member of the Labour Reform Commission, warned that unless the lease is annulled immediately, workers may escalate their protests through general strikes and port blockades, potentially paralysing Chattogram’s port operations.

The dispute poses a threat to Bangladesh's busiest port, a vital hub for imports and exports, including key polymer shipments, and could significantly impact the country’s international trade.