Md Joynal Abedin Khan :
Jute mills workers continued their strike for the second day on Wednesday seeking fulfillment of their 9-point demands, including implementation of a wage commission.
Our correspondents report that their demonstration began on Wednesday morning for the second day of their 72-hour strike, unwavering in their nine point demands.
The public sufferings have mounted view of the demonstrations of the workers strike in Khulna, and other cities and districts, report our staff reporters and district correspondents.
The 72-hour strike enforced by the state-owned jute mills workers of Khulna district to press home their nine-point demand including implementation of the wage commission, continues for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.
The agitating workers took positions on several places including Natun Rasta, Shonadanga Bus Stand, BRTC Road and Atra industrial area around 6 am, halting traffic movement on Khulna-Jashore Road.
Productions in nine state-owned jute mills remained suspended following the strike since Tuesday morning.
However, they also put up barricade on the rail tracks, halting train services between Khulna and other parts of the country creating immense suffering to commuters.
Atra industrial area around 6 am, halting traffic movement on Khulna-Jashore Road.
Productions in nine state-owned jute mills remained suspended following the strike since Tuesday morning.
Manik Chandra Sarkar, Station Master of Khulna Railway Station, said, “No train left the city or arrived here since 6 am Wednesday.”
Murad Hossain, a convener of Jute Mill Sramik League, said they will continue their movement until their demands are met.The agitating workers also brought out a red-flag procession.
Urging the workers to go back to work, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Helal Ahmed said the concerned authorities will take necessary steps to solve the workers’ problems.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jute Mill workers started their 72-hour strike by blocking roads and rail routes from 8am-12pm to press home their nine-point demand including implementation of the wage commission.
Production at nine jute mills in the region remain suspended from Tuesday following the strike.
The workers resumed protests from March 31 as their demands were not fulfilled by the government within their stipulated time.
Meanwhile, workers of several jute mills in Rajshahi also staged demonstration for the second consecutive day on Wednesday to press home their demands including implementation of the wage commission.
The workers took position on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway around 10:15 am, halting traffic movement.
President of Katakhali Jute Mill Workers Union, Zillur, said they staged demonstration as part of their scheduled programme.
In Dhaka, workers of two jute mills in Demra, blocked a road on Tuesday in support of the 72-hour strike called by workers of jute mills in Khulna.
The workers of Latif Bawani Jute Milsl and Karim Jute Mills blocked the road near the Demra Staff Quarter area around 8:30am for more than five hours.
The road blockade created traffic congestion in the area in the morning, causing inconvenience to commuters – especially those going to work and schools.
Speaking to the media, Demra Police Station OC Siddiqur Rahman said the workers started gathering in the area at 7:00am.
“Their demands include the clearance of outstanding wages as well as formation of a wage commission,” he said.
The protesters withdrew the blockade around 2pm after speaking to the police, the OC said.
Replying to a question, the police officer also said the workers staged their demonstration peacefully, without causing any chaos.
In the meantime, sweeping labour unrest disrupted production at most of the garments factories in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) located in Savar on Wednesday.
From what could be known, protests erupted from the factory of Talisman Ltd and spread to others, compelling closure of most of the factories at new DEPZ.
Around 2,000 workers of Talisman Ltd burst into protest after discovering a closure notice of the factory, our correspondent reports from the spot.
“They have been demonstrating for two days,” said Nazma Binte Alamgir, General Manager (public relations) of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
“Their demands are illogical. The factory owner suspended operations this morning,” she said, adding that many other factories had also pulled shutters.
According to her, workers of Talisman Ltd tried to create unrest along with the workers of other factories, prompting authorities to shutter several factories. At least six factories and found their entrances padlocked.
Sana Shaminur Rahman, Superintendent of Dhaka Zone Industrial police, admitted the situation and declined to make any comment over the issue.
Workers of FCI BD Ltd, a sister concern of Talisman Ltd, said on condition of anonymity that all the factories inside the new DEPZ were closed for Wednesday.
“The are coming up with an array of demands, most of which are illogical,” they said.
