Miners threaten strike

Workers of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL) in Dinajpur yesterday threatened to go on indefinite strike from December 14 if their longstanding demand for job regularisation is not met by Tuesday.

The 1,050 miners are now working under XMC, a China-based outsourcing company.

The workers held a rally in front of the coalmine's entrance yesterday, urging the mine authorities to implement their one-point demand

Speakers at the rally said the miners, who keep the wheels of coal production running, have been agitating since 2009 and urging the mine authorities to regularise their jobs, but the authorities are yet to meet their longstanding demand.

President of Barapukuria Coalminers Union Rabiul Islam said, "We go under the ground every day risking our lives for extracting coal, and BCMCL earns money selling the coal." The workers are deprived of their share of the profit, he alleged.

The miners are employed under no work no pay condition, and they swore that they would not join work until their demand is met. 

XMC pays the miners Tk 257 to Tk 297 per day, based on their experience. The mine authorities also give incentives based on coal production.

Managing Director of BCMCL ASM Aurangzeb dismissed the demand for regularising the jobs as it would require a change in the company's organogram. The mine authorities will try to increase their wages at the time of renewal of the contract, the managing director said.