72-hour strike underway

People suffer as jute mill workers block roads, rail in Chattogram and Khulna

People suffer as jute mill workers block roads, rail in Chattogram and Khulna

Workers of state-owned jute mills went on a 72-hour strike in Khulna and Chattogram region on Tuesday morning to press home their demands including implementation of the wage commission.

In Khulna, the workers took position on Notun Rasta, Shiromoni and Khan Jahan Ali Road from the morning and halted vehicular movement.

They announced to block roads and rail routes from 8:00am to 12:00pm for three consecutive days.

Production at nine jute mills in the region remain suspended following the strike.

The workers resumed protests from March 31 as their demands were not fulfilled by the government within their stipulated time.

Jute mill workers in the region also demonstrated on Monday.

In Chattogram, thousands of workers of Hafiz Jute Mills, Gul Ahmmed Jute Mills, RR Jute Mill Gulfra Habib and MM Jute Mills blocked the roads and rail routes in industrial areas of Sitakundu and Fouzdarhat.

Vehicular movement came to a screeching half and the port city’s rail communications with rest of Bangladesh were suspended.

A large number of vehicles were stuck on the highway and two trains ‘Meghna Express’ and ‘Paharika Express’ were stranded.

Higher Secondary Certificates examinees had a tough time going to exam centres.

Police and local administration officials rushed to the spot to cajole the workers into ending their strike. The workers withdrew their one-hour blockade after getting assurance from the administration.

Fresh workers agitation started on Monday after the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation failed to implement the wage commission within March 28.

Amena Begum, additional commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police said that additional police have been deployed to keep the road situation under control.