Security alert as jute workers go for road barricade today
Security forces have been asked to remain on high alert as over 3,000 casual workers of six state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt have announced road and rail barricade programme today.
Earlier they made five-point demands including payment of arrears and withdrawal of lay off and warned of launching the road and rail barricade programme if the demands were not met by yesterday.
KMP Assistant Police Commissioner (North Zone) Nesar Ahmed said he had called several workers and their leaders to the police station and requested them not to violate emergency power rules by enforcing road and railway barricade.
Such programme would create obstacle in the transportation of food grains particularly rice imported from India through Benapole border, he added.
Convenor of Casual Workers Action Committee Shahidul Islam Giash said they now fear arrest of CBA leaders who are supporting the movement of casual workers of the six jute mills.
Production in six jute mills including Crescent Jute Mills has come down to 24 tonnes from 60 tonnes following work abstention by casual workers who have been on movement for last 13 days to press home their 5-point demands.
Production in five other jute mills including Star, Eastern, Platinum jute mills have also marked sharp decline due to the work abstention.
Meanwhile, 333 workers who quit their jobs under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) from Crescent Jute mills still insist on their decision for self-immolation any time after observing token hunger strike on Tuesday to press home their demand for payment of all arrears.
These workers will observe token strike from 6:00am to 2:00pm before finally taking their lives through self immolation, CBA leader Md Delwar Hossain told this correspondent.
Most of the workers have been passing their days amid untold sufferings with their families he said, adding that their movement cannot suppressed by force.
BJMC Zonal Coordinator Abu Taher, who is also project director of Crescent Jute Mills, said he is unable to pay the workers unless the government allocates fund for that purpose.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments