Jute mill workers to continue protest until demands met

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore continued their fast-unto-death for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.

They are trying to force the government to accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages, reports UNB.

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 between 10 and 13 December.

Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on 12 December. The workers postponed their hunger strike until 17 December 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.