CHITTAGONG: Chittagong Port dockworkers Saturday announced a staggered 18-hour work abstention from Sunday to press their four-point demands, including reinstatement of their retrenched colleagues.

General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Khan of the Chittagong Dock Bandar Sramik-Karmachari Federation also announced a series of agitation programmes on back of the strike from a press conference at Chittagong press club.

The programmes include sit-in demo in front of Bandar Bhaban Sunday, two-hour work abstention and protest rally from 8 am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and four-hour work abstention and protest rally from 8:00am on August 1, 2, and 3.

They also demand the booking of labourers by rotation through a booking centre, reintroduction of labour-welfare activities under labour department and the reopening of the closed residential quarters in port areas.

“Tougher action programmes ahead if the demands are not met,” warned the federation leaders at the news conference.

About 4,500 workers were terminated from their jobs as part of Chittagong Port reform during the last caretaker government’s emergency rule.

After taking over, the Awami League government took decision to reinstate about 2,000 out of the sacked workers through scrutiny.

The reappointment process is yet to be started despite completion of the screening in January last, said sources.

BDST: 1800 HRS, 24 JULY 2010