Ctg port strained as crane operators strike

Dhaka, July 21 ( bdnews24. com)- Operations at Chittagong port were
strained Tuesday as crane operators on docks began a strike for better
pay and work conditions among other demands. "Around 350 winch men,
employed under the berth operators, have been abstaining from work
since 8 am," Abdul Matin, president of Chittagong Winch Men Welfare
Association told bdnews24. com. The docks came to a standstill in
the morning, he said. "They will return to work after being ensured
better pay, permanent port identity cards and gate passes, welfare
allowance, life and health insurance and better work conditions."
The country's major sea port was not totally inoperative through the
day as the port authorities and berth operators took alternative
steps. "Loading and offloading of goods were suspended for sometime
in the morning, but the berth operators and other of the port
workers began operating the cranes," Ahsanul Kabir, port director
(traffic), told bdnews24. com. The crane operators have been in talks
with berth operators on several occasions and have also launched
strikes twice before. The berth operators and port authorities
assured them of meeting their demands, but did not deliver, say the
strikers. A member of the berth operators association told bdnews24.
com that were surprised and upset as the winch men had stopped work
before the latest negotiations had ended. "Their pay demand is not
logical, and the issue of permanent identity cards and port entry
passes are pending with the port authority," he said. The berth
operators are trying to resume talks with the winch men, he said.