Labourers resume work at BCIC godown

Labourers at Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) fertiliser godown at Mahendranagar area in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila called off their indefinite strike after 30 hours on Friday.

The labourers withdrew the strike as they were assured that they would get their arrear wages of the last seven months and also an increase in their wage by the BCIC authorities, fertiliser dealers' association and labourer handling contractor, labourers said.  The indefinite strike was called on Thursday morning, they said, adding that 90 labourers work in the godown.

"We joined work as our demand was taken positively by BCIC authorities," said labourer Maminul Islam Babu, also the president of the labourers' union. "We have been living in hardship because we did not get wages for the last seven months," he said, hoping that they will get their arrears very soon.

Sumon Sawdagar, general secretary of the labourers' union, said labourers will go for tougher programme if their demand is not met soon.

Maniruzzaman Manir, general secretary of district unit of Bangladesh Sangjukta Sramik Federation, said the labourers get only Tk 18 for loading one tonne of fertiliser. They demand Tk 40- Tk 45 for loading one tonne, he said, urging the BCIC authorities to take steps to finalise the wages.

Abdul Hanif, in-charge of BCIC fertiliser godown at Mahendranagar, said labourers of the godown will be paid their arrear wages by the first week of March this year. "Demand of increasing wage of the labourers will depend on the rate given by the labourers' handling contractor," he said.