Demand for Minimum Wages

Benapole port workers to go on strike from Sept 12

4 September 2012, 18:00 PM

Unb, Benapole, Jessore

Benapole Port Handling Workers Union will go for an indefinite strike from September 12 demanding implementation of the government-declared minimum wages. Leaders of the union gave the strike call at a press conference here yesterday. President Golam Mostofa and General Secretary Rashed Ali of Port Handling Workers' Union addressed the press conference held at the union office at around 11:00am. They said unloading of goods at the port will remain stopped during the strike. Golam Mostafa said the workers were given Tk 13 instead of Tk 18 as wage for unloading per tonne of goods by four contracting firms last month. The workers went on an indefinite strike at the port from June 1 demanding implementation of minimum wages. The strike was later withdrawn following intervention by Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan. Local sources said about 80 percent raw materials for country's garments are imported through Benapole port.