In protest of the failure to uncover the true cause behind the murder of seven crew members aboard the fertilizer-laden vessel MV Al-Bakhera on the Meghna River in Chandpur, along with the failure to apprehend those involved and provide compensation to the victims’ families, waterway workers across the country have initiated a strike.
The Bangladesh Water Transport Workers' Federation called for this strike on Thursday.
Starting from 12:01am, the workers’ strike has brought all types of cargo unloading at Chittagong Port’s outer anchorage to a standstill.
Additionally, cargo transport along the country’s internal waterways, including at 16 jetties on the Karnaphuli River, has been completely suspended.
Hundreds of lighterage ships are idle, and the cessation of unloading imported goods has left over 20 foreign mother vessels stranded at the outer anchorage.
According to the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell, the strike has stranded approximately 10,11,235 tonnes of goods on 738 vessels at 57 jetties across the country.
The highest number of ships are stranded at Noapara Jetty in Jessore, Kanchpur Jetty in Narayanganj, Meghna Jetty, and Ghorashal Jetty in Sirajganj. A significant number of lighterage ships are also idling on the Karnaphuli River, loaded with goods.
Secretary of the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers' Federation, Atikul Islam Titu, said: “Immediately after the incident of seven murders aboard the vessel in Chandpur, we submitted a four-point demand to the authorities and set a 72-hour deadline for implementation.”
“These demands include a government announcement of Tk2 million in compensation for each victim’s family and effective measures to end terrorism, extortion, and piracy on all waterways. However, no steps have been taken by the government,” he added.
The organization’s president, Shah Alam, said: “Workers will not return to work until our demands are met. We have clearly outlined our demands.”
“Currently, all cargo vessels carrying oil, gas, coal, sand, and other goods have ceased operations, including loading and unloading. The strike will continue until our demands are fulfilled,” he further said.
Saeed Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners’ Association, said: “We are trying to resolve the matter through discussions with the striking workers. The Department of Shipping is also making efforts to facilitate a resolution. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) to address the issue.”
He added: “Currently, 800 ships are stranded at various locations, carrying over 1 million tonnes of goods. If this issue is not resolved quickly, it could lead to a supply shortage in the country.”
