Workers of four container depots in the port city observed work abstention early Tuesday protesting at attacks on their drivers and officials.
The depots are two container depots of Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL), Ispahani Container Deport and Eastern Container Deport.
Captain Kamrul Islam Mazumder, director and chief operating officer (off dock) of the SAPL container depot, confirmed the matter.
He said that there was an altercation between officials of Chittagong Customs House clearing and forwarding agents and prime mover drivers of the SAPL past night.
At one stage, the two groups swooped on each other.
Some people damaged furniture and window glasses, he said, adding that although no one was injured in the incident, workers stopped their regular work for a while.
At about 10:00am on Tuesday, all workers of the SAPL announced work abstention for an indefinite period.
Following the SAPL, workers of two other depots also stopped working, he added.
Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu, general secretary of Chattogram Customs Agent Associations said that they were not thinking about taking any legal action.
鈥榃e urge all depots and their officials and workers to come to a solution,鈥� he added.
鈥榃e have informed Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) about the work abstention because most of the consignment are there,鈥� Bilu said, adding that if workers stop the regular work it will impact on exports and imports in Chattogram Port.
