FIVE-POINT demands

Jute mill workers begin strike

Nearly 15,000 permanent and casual workers of seven state-owned jute mills of Khulna-Jessore industrial belt under the banner of Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and Non-CBA Oikya Parishad jointly started indefinite period strike from 6 am yesterday at Khalishpur and Atra industrial belt in the city to press home their 5-point demands. As a result, production works were suspended.
The agitated workers marched through roads at the Khalishpur and Atra area chanting and staged a demonstration. The agitating seven out of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna region are Crescent, Platinum, Star, Aleem, Eastern, JJI and Carpeting Jute Mills.
The convener of the committee and general secretary of CBA of Crescent Jute Mills Md Sohrab Hossain presided over the demonstration in front of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills. Among others, member secretary of central committee and joint convener of CBA of Eastern Jute Mills Md Shah Alam, general secretary of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Employees Union Khalilur Rahman, president of CBA of Crescent Jute Mills Md Din Islam, member secretary of Non-CBA Oikko Parishad SM Zakir Hossain, spoke on the occasion.
Their five-point demands for which workers have gone on movement include payment of their arrear wages and other financial benefits, to consist wage pay 20 per cent dearness allowance which was announced by July 1 in 2013, allocation of adequate fund needed to purchase raw material for running jute mills undisturbed to reach production target, to implement anti polythene Act explore markets at home and abroad for selling products and removal of corrupt officials to make administration of the mills transparent.
Sohrab Hossain said that workers would continue their movements till their demands are not fully met. Otherwise, workers will go on movement for indefinite period which include road and rail blockade and then fast-unto-death programme. Jute mill CBA leaders urged BJMC to fulfill their demands for greater economic interest of the country. They urged BJMC to arrange adequate allocation of fund needed to run the jute mills for reaching production target buying raw materials.
The convener of the committee Md Sohrab Hossain said that a programme like self immolation would be announced if needed to realise the demands. He also said highway and railway blockade from 6 am till 2 pm today.
Police are maintaining vigil in and around the state-owned Eastern Jute Mill, Crescent Jute Mill, Platinum Jubilee Jute Mill, Khalishpur Jute Mill, Star Jute Mill, Aleem Jute Mill, JJI and Carpeting Jute Mill to prevent any untoward incident.
General workers said, “We do not find ray of hope regarding payment of our all dues before deadline as uncertainly loom large in our minds due to indifferent attitude of officials of the management to resolve the crisis for greater interest of workers and employees.”

FIVE-POINT demands

Jute mill workers begin strike

Nearly 15,000 permanent and casual workers of seven state-owned jute mills of Khulna-Jessore industrial belt under the banner of Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) and Non-CBA Oikya Parishad jointly started indefinite period strike from 6 am yesterday at Khalishpur and Atra industrial belt in the city to press home their 5-point demands. As a result, production works were suspended. The agitated workers marched through roads at the Khalishpur and Atra area chanting and staged a demonstration. The agitating seven out of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna region are Crescent, Platinum, Star, Aleem, Eastern, JJI and Carpeting Jute Mills. The convener of the committee and general secretary of CBA of Crescent Jute Mills Md Sohrab Hossain presided over the demonstration in front of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills. Among others, member secretary of central committee and joint convener of CBA of Eastern Jute Mills Md Shah Alam, general secretary of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Employees Union Khalilur Rahman, president of CBA of Crescent Jute Mills Md Din Islam, member secretary of Non-CBA Oikko Parishad SM Zakir Hossain, spoke on the occasion. Their five-point demands for which workers have gone on movement include payment of their arrear wages and other financial benefits, to consist wage pay 20 per cent dearness allowance which was announced by July 1 in 2013, allocation of adequate fund needed to purchase raw material for running jute mills undisturbed to reach production target, to implement anti polythene Act explore markets at home and abroad for selling products and removal of corrupt officials to make administration of the mills transparent. Sohrab Hossain said that workers would continue their movements till their demands are not fully met. Otherwise, workers will go on movement for indefinite period which include road and rail blockade and then fast-unto-death programme. Jute mill CBA leaders urged BJMC to fulfill their demands for greater economic interest of the country. They urged BJMC to arrange adequate allocation of fund needed to run the jute mills for reaching production target buying raw materials. The convener of the committee Md Sohrab Hossain said that a programme like self immolation would be announced if needed to realise the demands. He also said highway and railway blockade from 6 am till 2 pm today. Police are maintaining vigil in and around the state-owned Eastern Jute Mill, Crescent Jute Mill, Platinum Jubilee Jute Mill, Khalishpur Jute Mill, Star Jute Mill, Aleem Jute Mill, JJI and Carpeting Jute Mill to prevent any untoward incident. General workers said, We do not find ray of hope regarding payment of our all dues before deadline as uncertainly loom large in our minds due to indifferent attitude of officials of the management to resolve the crisis for greater interest of workers and employees.