Jute mill workers’ strike continues for 4th day

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore districts continued their fast-unto-death for the fourth consecutive day yesterday. They are trying to force the government to accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages. About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna and JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jashore took position in front of the mills.

They are showing no sign of backing off and vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met. Workers of the state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10 to December 13. Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12. The workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour.

But the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad to resume hunger strike unto death. The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotting necessary fund for jute sector.

The strike of Khulna division jute mills workers began in March 12 of 2019. In that time, the workers enforced a 24-hour strike to press home their nine-point demand that includes payment of outstanding wages. The strike began at 8am. “Our major demands include implementation of wage commission and regularisation of job,” said Md Murad, convener of Bangladesh Jute Mill Workers League of Khulna-Jashore region.

Earlier on April 2, workers of state-owned jute mills observed a 72-hour strike in Khulna region to press home their nine-point demand.

Later, on April 16, about 14 hours after enforcing a 96 hours strike across the country, jute mills workers called off their protest programme following a meeting with the government.

Leaders of the agitating workers announced to withdraw the strike after the meeting in Dhaka with the authorities concerned, said Platinum Jute Mill CBA President Shahana Sharmin.

At the meeting, decision was taken to clear workers’ dues for 10-week by April 25 and the salary and other dues of the officials and staffs will be paid within three months.

Besides the meeting also decided to implement the wage commission immediately, said the CBA leader.

Since there was no visible improvement in meeting the demands, the jute mills workers of Khulna region went on another strike demanding payment of their dues.

The workers of Platinum Jute Mill halted production around 6 pm on that day and then workers of other jute mills in Khulna and Jashore suspended their production.

Though earlier it was decided in a meeting with the Ministry of Jute and Textiles and Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation that the outstanding wages of the workers will be paid within 25th April, but those were not paid.

Jute mill workers strike continues for 4th day

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore districts continued their fast-unto-death for the fourth consecutive day yesterday. They are trying to force the government to accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages. About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna and JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jashore took position in front of the mills. They are showing no sign of backing off and vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met. Workers of the state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10 to December 13. Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12. The workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour. But the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad to resume hunger strike unto death. The protesters demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotting necessary fund for jute sector. The strike of Khulna division jute mills workers began in March 12 of 2019. In that time, the workers enforced a 24-hour strike to press home their nine-point demand that includes payment of outstanding wages. The strike began at 8am. Our major demands include implementation of wage commission and regularisation of job, said Md Murad, convener of Bangladesh Jute Mill Workers League of Khulna-Jashore region. Earlier on April 2, workers of state-owned jute mills observed a 72-hour strike in Khulna region to press home their nine-point demand. Later, on April 16, about 14 hours after enforcing a 96 hours strike across the country, jute mills workers called off their protest programme following a meeting with the government. Leaders of the agitating workers announced to withdraw the strike after the meeting in Dhaka with the authorities concerned, said Platinum Jute Mill CBA President Shahana Sharmin. At the meeting, decision was taken to clear workers dues for 10-week by April 25 and the salary and other dues of the officials and staffs will be paid within three months. Besides the meeting also decided to implement the wage commission immediately, said the CBA leader. Since there was no visible improvement in meeting the demands, the jute mills workers of Khulna region went on another strike demanding payment of their dues. The workers of Platinum Jute Mill halted production around 6 pm on that day and then workers of other jute mills in Khulna and Jashore suspended their production. Though earlier it was decided in a meeting with the Ministry of Jute and Textiles and Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation that the outstanding wages of the workers will be paid within 25th April, but those were not paid.