50 fall sick as jute mill workers continue strike

Jute mill workers during strike. Photo: UNB
Jute mill workers during strike. Photo: UNB

About 50 workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore fell sick on Thursday as their fast-unto-death rolled into the fifth day, reports UNB.

“Eleven of them were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) and others were given saline in their respective mill gate areas,” said Murad Hossain, joint secretary of non-CBA Songram Parishad.

They also vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.

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.

Jute mill workers during strike. Photo: UNB
Jute mill workers during strike. Photo: UNB

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.