Kazi Farms Group accuses workers of extortion

Kazi Farms Group at a press conference alleged that workers under the banner of Sthaniya Sangram Committee had been agitating for their "unlawful demands" and "creating obstacles" to the business of its two factories in Thakurgaon.

Speaking at the capital's Jatiya Press Club yesterday, the group's Managing Director Kazi Zahedul Hasan also alleged that the agitators had locked up Kazi Hatchery in Habibpur and Salondor Feed Mill in Sadar upazila and its filling station for not meeting their "unlawful" demands.

The agitation started after 15-16 workers of Kazi Hatchery were suspended on grounds of bio security and another 10 were transferred to other farms of the group in other districts, according to a report of The Daily Star published on April 6.

Zahedul alleged that the agitators have been demanding recruitment of more employees, Tk 200 "extortion" for each truck carrying feed and termination of workers from outside Thakurgaon.

Joynuddin, convener of the committee, told The Daily Star over the phone that "We never asked for or took any extortion from the company. We only placed a three-point demand, which are reinstatement of sacked workers, stopping transfer of our drivers to other districts and recruitment of more workers from Thakurgaon."

The company boss also alleged that local police refused to record any case or even lodge a general diary in this regard rather advised them to settle the matter after negotiating with the agitators.