The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The lighterage vessel workers strike continues to paralyze Chittagong Port, as about 5,000 cargo vessel employees stopped work since Friday noon, demanding cent percent pay hike.

The lighterage vessel and river transport workers went on a countrywide wildcat strike demanding higher wages from Friday.

River transport workers called off their strike following the success of a tripartite meeting in which it was decided that the workers and employees would be paid interim allowances.

The cargo vessel owners agreed to increase 25 per cent wage of the workers and asked them to join their jobs by yesterday evening, but the striking workers rejected the offer and were continuing their work suspension.

Unloading of goods, including rice and fuel, from 16 mother ships at the outer anchorage remained suspended due to the strike.

Chittagong Port, the country main seaport, recorded nearly 15 per cent rise in goods handling in the first five months of 2008 compared with the same period last year. The increased unloading was possible due to introduction of more efficient equipment.

The on going strike effecting unloading of goods at the outer anchorage would impact on the soaring price of essentials, including rice and fuel, which has made life miserable in recent days.

Some 700-cargo vessels used to transport goods to the Chittagong Port and other river ports of the country from the mother vessels.