KHULNA, Nov 25: State-owned jute mill workers brought out a hunger procession in Khalishpur industrial area in Khulna. The procession ended at the Platinum Jute Mill Gate.
A seven-day agitation programme was announced under the banner of 'State-owned Jute Mill Collective Bargaining Association (CBA) and Non-CBA Sangram Parishad'.
The programme was announced at a separate meeting and demonstration rally at the jute mills in Khulna-Jashore region on Sunday.
They announced programmes of symbolic hunger strike on November 27, demonstration procession on December 02, strike on December 03, gate meeting on December 08 and hunger strike unto death on December 10 at their respective mill gate.
According to worker leader Sahana Sharmin, joint convener of Platinum Jute Mills, there are 13,170 permanent workers working in Khulna's state-owned jute mill and the number of shift workers is 17413. "These workers have due nine to 12 weeks' wages and four months' salary for officers and employees due, Sahana Sharmin said.
Sardar Abdul Hamid, Sahana Sharmin, Humayun Kabir Khan, Murad Hossain, Abu Dawood Din Mohammad, Bellal Mallick, A Mannan, Kausar Ali Mridha and Md Hanif spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, our Chattogram correspondent writes: The workers of Amin Jute Mills Limited, a state-owned jute mill in the port city, observed hunger procession on Monday to press their 11-point demand including payment of arrears. The agitated workers also declared the programme of hunger strike on November 27 next for the same.
Sources said a hunger procession with plates and glasses was brought out by several hundreds of workers from the gate of Amin Jute Mills which went round Chattogram-Hathazari road and ended at the gate.
The workers held a rally at that time. The rally was chaired by the president of Amin Jute Mills Sramik Kormachari Porishad Mohammed Arifur Rahman. Among others, Md Mostafa, Shamsul Alam, Mohammed Kamal Uddin and workers leaders addressed the rally.
The speakers at the rally declared the programme of hunger strike on November 27 next demanding the 11-point demand including payment of arrears.
They said the workers of Amin Jute Mills are not getting the wages regularly. Moreover, the workers who went on retirement are yet to get their gues. The workers of the jute mill are passing their days in hardship.
President of Amin Jute Mills Sramik Kormachari Porishad Mohammed Arifur Rahman said, "Of our 11 points, no demand are yet to be met by the government. We brought out procession last Ramadan. But, the government is yet to pay our wages regularly. Wages of more than 10 weeks are not given till now."
"As we are undone, we have declared the programme of hunger strike on November 27 next," he added.
UNB report from Rajshahi adds: Workers of Rajshahi Jute Mill blocked the Rajshahi-Natore Highway in Katakhali on the outskirt of the city on Monday to press the authorities to meet their 11-point demand.
Zillur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Katakhali police station, said workers came out on the road around 10am but withdrew after a while and went back in front of the factory gate.
The situation is under control, the OC added.
"Our demands include implementation of the national wage commission, cancellation of public-private partnership and gratuities payment of retired workers and staff of the factory," said Jillur Rahman, president of Rajshahi Jute Mill CBA Sangram Parishad.
The organisation's General Secretary Shamim Hossain, Treasurer Mostak Hossain, and Vice-President Abdul Alim took part in the protest with hundreds of workers and staff.