Workers of state-run jute mills continued their strike across Bangladesh for the second day yesterday (Tuesday). They have called the indefinite strike to press their longstanding demands, including payment of outstanding dues. The workers of 26 jute mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) have been demanding payment of salaries and allowances, implementation of wage commission recommendations, sufficient fund allocation for the jute sector, reappointing sacked workers and making them permanent.

On May 5, workers of 11 jute mills in Jashore, Khulna and Dhaka started their three-hour work abstention. On May 7, jute mill leaders held a meeting in Dhaka and decided to go on an indefinite strike from May 13. On Monday, workers of nine jute mills in Chittagong and the remaining five in Dhaka joined the strike.

In Khulna and Jashore, workers of state-owned mills blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway, railway lines and other roads from 4pm to 7pm yesterday.

Md Murad Hossai, president of the Khulna regional unit of the Bangladesh Patkol Sramik League, said the work abstention at all jute mills across Bangladesh will continue till their salaries and arrears are paid.

“We have sent a letter to the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and Textiles and Jute Minister, but have not got a reply yet,” he said.

Crescent Jute Mills  Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) general secretary, Md Shohrab Hossain, said the protest initiated in Khulna has spread across the country and will continue until the demands are met.

In Chattogram, jute mill workers staged a demonstration and blocked a road. At around 4am, workers of Amin Jute Mills in the port city took to the street and brought out a procession. They blocked the Chattogram-Hathazari road till 7pm. Owing to the blockade, traffic movement was disrupted and commuters faced hardship.

Kamrul Hasan, ASP of industrial police, said: “We are aware about the crisis in the state-owned jute mills. We are holding talks with the workers and hope things will be sorted out."

Amin Jute Mills Workers' Union president Arifur Rahman demanded that recommendations of the National Wage Commission be implemented, arrears be paid and temporary workers be made permanent. He said their strike would continue till their demands are fulfilled.