Coalmine workers' ultimatum

The miners and officials and staff, appointed through outsourcing, of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL) in Parbatipur upazila have threatened to go for a tougher movement in October if their five-point demand is not met by September.

They held a rally at the coalmine premises from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday, to press home their demands.

The agitated workers also urged the authorities concerned to reconsider their decision to appoint SM Nurul Awrangjeb as successor of present Managing Director Mohammad Aminuzzaman.

Earlier, Awrangjeb served as a general manager of BCMCL till the middle of 2015.

Robiul Islam, president of Barapukuria Coal Mine Workers Union, said Aminuzzaman, outgoing MD, assured them of implementing their 5-point demand by September this year.

The demands include regularisation of jobs for the workers engaged in underground and surface mining operations, disbursement of profit bonus, introduction of life insurance scheme, appointment of a full-time doctor for the workers and food rationing for the miners.

Robiul said they want to discuss the matter with local lawmaker and also Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman, who is due to visit the area today.

Aminuzzaman said he has been promoted to the post of director and is scheduled to join his new workplace by the end of this month.

In a move on Thursday, Petrobangla have appointed SM Nurul Awrangjeb as the Managing Director of BCMCL.