Sampan workers engaged in ferrying personnel to and from oil lighter vessels along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram have held a press conference demanding protection of their rights and ensuring their safety. The workers, who have been involved in this profession for decades, alleged that an organized syndicate is obstructing their lawful activities and pushing their livelihoods into uncertainty through various forms of harassment and abuse.
At the press conference held on Saturday at the Chattogram Press Club, leaders of the Dangarchar and Patenga Oil Tanker Employee Transport Sampan Workers’ Union (Reg. No. 2370), a government-recognized organization, presented these allegations. They stated that for the past 40 to 50 years, sampan workers have been providing essential services along river points from ghat no. 7 to 11, including transporting personnel to lighter vessels and handling mooring ropes.
According to the speakers, they regularly serve lighter vessels operated by various entities such as Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, RM-3, and RM-4. Despite working under highly risky conditions—facing strong river currents and adverse weather—they receive neither proper recognition nor adequate security. Around 300 families and nearly 1,000 workers and their dependents rely on this profession for survival and are currently facing severe uncertainty.
The workers alleged that a syndicate named “Khwaja Shipping Line (Raihan Enterprise) Co. Ltd.” has recently begun interfering in their legitimate work. Members of this group are accused of extortion, obstructing work, physical assault, intimidation, and forcibly taking money from workers. They also claimed that some workers have been detained and tortured, while defamatory campaigns labeling them as “fuel thieves” are being spread on social media to damage their reputation.
During the press conference, 10 to 12 individuals, including Raihan, Md. Shahanur, and Sajjad, were named as members of the syndicate. Allegations against them include regular extortion, threats to halt work, physical attacks, and death threats.
The workers further stated that despite organizing multiple human chain demonstrations and submitting written complaints to local authorities, EPZ police, and river police, no effective action has been taken so far. Instead, harassment and pressure on them have reportedly increased over time.
Union President Md. Rafique and General Secretary Mohammad Osman, along with other leaders, were present at the event. They demanded immediate action to stop the syndicate’s activities, ensure workers’ safety, take legal measures against those involved in extortion, and allow them to continue their lawful profession without interference.
According to the union leaders, this traditional river-based occupation is now on the verge of collapse. Without prompt intervention, not only will the livelihoods of hundreds of families be at risk, but essential river transport services may also face serious disruption.
