Jute workers issue fresh deadline

17 October 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Jute and Textile Workers Action Committee formed by CBA leaders of private-owned jute mills has threatened to launch a tough movement if their ten-point demand is not met by November 17. The warning for an indefinite movement including road and rail blockade programme came from a rally held at Phulbari Gate Janata Market in the city on Friday afternoon. Their ten-point demand includes announcement of minimum wages for private-owned jute mill workers and its full implementation. Workers of private-owned jute mills of Khulna-Jessore industrial belt have been working with wages of Tk 560 since 1985 while workers of state-owned jute mills get Tk 2450 including twenty percent dearness allowance, speakers said at the rally. Such discrimination in wages for the same work is unacceptable and condemnable, they said. "We will throw a programme for tough movement including road and rail blockade for indefinite period if our demands are not met by November 17 deadline," said committee convenor Md Tayebur Rahman is his speech as president of the meeting. Among others, Awami League leader and ward councillor Sheikh Yunus Ali, BNP leader Mir Kaised Ali, CPB leader advocate Firoze Ahmed, labour leaders comrade Moniruzzaman, Shamsur Rahman Bulu, Mozammel Huq, Benazir Ahmed and Emran Hossain addressed the rally.