CHITTAGONG: Chittagong Port dockworkers Sunday staged a two-hour sit-in strike in front of Bandar Bhaban as part of their series of programmes to press their demands, including reinstatement of their retrenched colleagues.

Dock Bandar Sramik-Karmachari Federation led the squatting that started at 10:30am. Police and Ansar forces were deployed during the programme.  

On Saturday, General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Khan of the Federation also announced a staggered 18-hour work abstention from a press conference at Chittagong press club.

As per the announcement, the workers will also stage two-hour work abstention and protest rally from 8 am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and four-hour work abstention and protest rally from 8:00am on August 1, 2, and 3.

Their four-point demands also include the booking of labourers by rotation through a booking centre, reintroduction of labour-welfare activities under labour department and the reopening of the closed residential quarters in port areas.

“Tougher action programmes ahead if the demands are not met,” warned the federation leaders at the news conference.

About 4,500 workers were terminated from their jobs as part of Chittagong Port reform during the last caretaker government’s emergency rule.

After taking over, the Awami League government took decision to reinstate about 2,000 out of the sacked workers through scrutiny.

The reappointment process is yet to be started despite completion of the screening in January last, said sources.

BDST: 1426 HRS, 25 JULY 2010