Jute mills workers continue hunger strike for third day

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore continued their fast-unto-death for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, reports UNB.

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 in the morning.

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from 10 to 13 December.

Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on 12 December.

Later the workers postponed their hunger strike until 17 December upon assurance from the state minister for labour of fulfilling their demands.

On Friday, collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad leaders announced to resume hunger strike unto death from a meeting held in the city as the promise was not fulfilled.

The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills, allotting necessary fund for jute sector and others.