Jute mill workers block Dhaka roads; vehicle vandalised

Jute mill workers blocked roads in Dhaka’s Jatrabari and Demra and also staged sit-in in Khulna, demanding their arrears.

In Demra, the workers of Latif Baunia Jute Mills took to the streets around 7:00am, halting vehicular movement.

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Vehicles were vandalised and trees and electric poles were felled on the road, our photojournalist reports from the spot.

Police officials with the help of locals were seen clearing the debris off the streets in the afternoon.

On Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, transport movement was disrupted as jute mill workers blocked Jatrabari intersection in the morning resulting in a huge gridlock on the highway.

In Khulna, workers of nine jute mills were also observing work abstention demanding the same.

In Jatrabari, around 100 stick-wielding workers of two jute mills took position on Jatrabari intersection from 8:00am, payment of eight months’ due, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

UNB reports, the jute mill workers of Khulna will also observe road blockade programme from 4:00pm to 7:00pm today.

Md Murad Hossain, convener of Jute Mill Workers League of Khulna-Jashore region, confirmed the matter.

The workers of Platinum Jute Mill halted production around 6:00pm on Sunday and then workers of other jute mills in Khulna and Jashore suspended their production.

Workers' wages of 11 weeks and other employees' salary of four months remained unpaid.

Earlier, it was decided in a meeting with the Ministry of Jute and Textiles and Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation that the outstanding wages of the workers will be paid within April 25. But the promise was not fulfilled.

On April 2, workers of state-owned jute mills observed a 72-hour strike in Khulna region to press home their nine-point demand.