Workers in Chittagong Port dock area become vocal for implementing their 6-point demand

Workers in the dock area of Chittagong Port have become vocal demanding the implementation of their 6-point demands. Allegations show that workers have been exploited for years due to wage discrimination, gate pass complications, commission deductions, lack of medical facilities, and the dominance of corrupt officials. Multiple workers said that the first demand is that wage discrimination must be eliminated. Despite working on the same container, the rates differ across various companies. Somewhere 333 taka is given, and somewhere 280 taka. Again, in the express container where 360 taka is supposed to be paid, 100 taka less is given.

What kind of fairness is this? According to the workers, although they have been working at the port for a long time, many of them have still not received permanent gate passes. As a result, identity crises and job uncertainty remain. They alleged that the owner's people are collecting commissions from workers in exchange for gate passes and participation in work. A worker named Mubarak said, “We want freedom from this web of commissions. We want recognition as workers.”

Demanding the inclusion of workers stationed at the outer anchorage into the labor branch, they said, 'Port officials get festival bonuses as soon as they are appointed, whereas in the case of workers, they are deprived of bonuses by showing the condition of 6 months of 'job permanence'. 'This hypocrisy and discrimination cannot go on.' The workers alleged that an organization named “Saif Powertec” does not issue gate passes according to the prescribed rules. They face allegations of reducing rates and ignoring workers' interests.

Besides, the workers claimed that while there is a separate hospital for port authorities, there is no healthcare service for the workers. They referred to the death of a worker named Jasim due to lack of treatment as 'extreme failure of port management'. Citing an agreement from 2008, labor leaders said that according to it, workers will get 75% of container income, and the owner side 25%. But now that ratio is not being followed either. They claimed, “Daily slips write 385 taka, yet a large part of the actual salary disappears.

The owner's name remains on the gate pass, which is an obstacle to establishing the independent identity of the workers.”

The 6-point demands are- 1. Elimination of existing wage discrimination among all workers and employees 2. Issuance of permanent gate passes to long-serving workers 3. Inclusion and identity cards of outer anchorage workers in the labor branch 4. Equal rights in festival bonuses for workers 5. Rapid inclusion and publication of lists of workers employed in different companies in the labor branch 6. Expulsion of corrupt institutions and officials from the port and ensuring a worker-friendly working environment.

Labor leaders warned, “If there is a delay in implementing these 6-point demands, we will be forced to go for subsequent programs.” However, no one from the port authority agreed to talk about this matter. Present at the time were Mohammad Farvez, convener of the Dock Port Workers-Employees Rights Movement, and member secretary Md. Shamim. Also present on behalf of the workers were Abul Kalam Mia, Md. Abul Alam, Mohammad Ariful Islam along with port officers and employees. Source: Chittagong News