Jute workers demand reopening of mills

Hundreds of workers and different organisations took to the streets in Khulna and Tangail yesterday, demanding immediate reopening of jute mills under government arrangement and declaration of jute as a national asset.

In Khulna, under the banner of "Paatkol Rokkhay Sommilito Nagorik Parishad", they held a sit-in programme, blocking the BIDC Road near Notun Rasta intersection. Workers of nine jute mills participated in the programme that began around noon, reports our Khulna correspondent.

 Kudrat-e-Khuda, convener of the Parishad, said this movement is not a matter of a day but a lengthy process. "Through our movement, we want the government to reopen the mills under its own arrangement instead of shutting those down or handing over to public-private partnership," he said.

On August 16 and 17, the Parishad brought out processions in the city in order to press home their demands.

In Tangail, different organisations formed a human chain in front of Tangail Press Club around 11am over similar demands, reports our correspondent. They also placed a 15-point proposal in this regard.

The programme was organised under the banner of "Jatiya Krishak Samity" and "Bangladesh Khet Mojur Union". Later, they submitted a memorandum along with their demands to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner.

Their demands include protecting jute farmers, ensuring right price for jute, restarting state-owned jute mills and forming social movements for saving jute industry.