KHULNA: The indefinite work abstention enforced by the employees of eight state-owned jute mills in the district to press home their 11-point demand including payment of arrears entered fifth day yesterday, reports UNB. Some 25,000 workers of eight state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt have been observing work abstention since Thursday. The jute mills are - Daulatpur, Khalishpur, Crescent, Platinum, Star, Aleem, Eastern, and JJI and Carpeting jute mills. The demands include paying arrears (one to three months) to some 35,000 workers, 20 per cent dearness allowance, and allocation of adequate fund for smooth operation of the mills and removal of corrupt officials from the administration, said Md Bellal Hossain, president of Star Jute Mill Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA).
The president also said that if their demand is not fulfilled immediately, they will go on tougher movement after meeting with the leaders with Dhaka and Chittagong zones.