Labourers start indefinite strike, stage sit-in

Labourers of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) fertiliser godown at Mahendranagar in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila called an indefinite strike yesterday, demanding payment of seven months' arrear salaries and an increase in their wages.

Listed fertiliser traders are not getting urea fertiliser from the godwon as the labourers staged a sit-in in front of the godown, stopping loading of fertiliser. But the unloading of urea fertiliser under BCIC and loading-unloading of other fertilisers under Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) are taking place as usual in the godown.

Ninety day labourers who load and unload fertilisers in the godown have been not getting their wages for seven months, labourers said. They don't get any reply from the contractor or even BCIC officials when they ask about their arrears.

"We have been bearing our expenses by borrowing money at high interest from local money lenders," said day labourer Emdadul Haque, 52.

Maminul Islam Babu, president of the Labourers' Union of the godown, said they called an indefinite strike for getting their arrears and an increase in their wages. "We will not withdraw our strike until our demands are fulfilled," he said, adding that they will go for tougher programme if they do not get any response from the BCIC authorities by Saturday.

Maniruzzaman Manir, general secretary of the district unit of Bangladesh Sangjukta Sramik Federation, said labourers of BCIC fertiliser godown face wage indiscrimination as they get only Tk 18 for loading one tonne of urea fertiliser whereas the wage is Tk 45 for loading the same amount in other BCIC godowns in the country. "Labourers should be paid Tk 40-Tk 45 for loading one tonne of urea fertiliser," he said, urging the BCIC authorities to take necessary steps in this regard.

Abdul Hakim, president of District Fertiliser Association, said they are not getting urea fertiliser during peak time of IRRI-boro farming as godown labourers have gone on an indefinite strike.

Golam Farooque Farhad, the contractor of urea fertiliser loading labourers, said the labourers will be paid their arrears very soon.

Abdul Hanif, the in-charge of BCIC fertiliser godown at Mahendranagar, said payment of the arrears is under processing and the labourers will be paid their through their contractor soon. Increasing of labourers' wage depends on the rate given by the contractor, he said, adding that BCIC authorities will consider the labourers' demands.