Jute mill workers protest enters second day
UNB, Khulna
The 72-hour strike enforced by the state-owned jute mills workers of the district to press home their nine-point demand including implementation of the wage commission, is continuing for the second consecutive day yesterday.
The agitating workers took positions on several places including Natun Rasta, Shonadanga Bus Stand, BRTC road and Atra industrial area around 6 am, halting traffic movement on Khulna-Jashore road. Productions in nine state-owned jute mills remained suspended following the strike since Tuesday morning. However, they also put up barricade on the rail tracks, halting train services of Khulna with other part of the country creating immense suffering to commuters.
Manik Chandra Sarkar, station master of Khulna Railway Station, said, No train left the city or arrived here since 6 am Wednesday.
Murad Hossain, a convener of Jute Mill Sramik League, said they will continue their movement until their demands is met. The agitating workers also brought out a red-flag procession.
Urging the workers to go back to work, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Helal Ahmed said the concerned authorities will take necessary steps to solve the workers problems.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jute Mill workers started their 72-hour strike by blocking roads and rail routes from 8am-12pm to press home their nine-point demand including implementation of the wage commission. Production at nine jute mills in the region remain suspended from Tuesday following the strike.
The workers resumed protests from March 31 as their demands were not fulfilled by the government within their stipulated time.
Meanwhile, workers of several jute mills in Rajshahi also staged demonstration for the second consecutive day yesterday to press home their demands including implementation of the wage commission. The workers took position on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway around 10:15 am, halting traffic movement.
