Angry workers paralyse Port Sudan

The mass strike in the southern port of Port Sudan which entered its fifth day and the northern port which entered its second day on Friday, has continue to demand the cancellation of the privatisation contract signed with the Philippine company International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI).

Workers who spoke to Radio Dabanga in the ports expected the port of Sawakin to join the list of striking ports on Sunday.

The High Committee against the privatisation of ports renewed its categorical rejection of the privatisation of the southern port. They reiterated this at a meeting held on Thursday evening at the Beja Club with representatives of the Presidential Committee to adjust the conditions of workers in the southern port headed by Assistant to the President Mousa Ahmed, Jalal Shelei and Osman Fagrei.

Activists said angry workers forced members of the presidential committee to leave the club.

The port workers renewed their commitment to the open strike until the cancellation of the contract with the Philippine company.

Concession agreement

The Philippine company ICTSI has signed the concession agreement with Sea Ports Corp. of Sudan (SPC) to operate, manage and develop the South Port Container Terminal (SPCT) at Port Sudan. The transfer of the facilities to ICTSI management will take place in the first quarter of this year.

ICTSI was already granted management rights of the container terminal at the southern port for four years. Opponents have explained that many workers reject the new contract because they claim ICTSI has been operating there in previous years without making any developments.