Ajax Jute Mills workers on strike for weekly wages

25 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Production at Ajax Jute Mills in Phubarigate area under Khanjahan Ali Police Station came to a halt yesterday as workers began an indefinite strike demanding payment of their weekly wages. The angry workers also confined seven officials, including DGM Hedayetul Islam, AGM Azizuddin, Accounts Officer Lutfor Rahman, Cashier Abdur Rahman and sales Officer Md Mamun, in a room of the administrative building for five hours from 8:00am. Police rescued the officials. They beat up security office Pintu Barua and also confined him in a room. He was later rescued by the law enforcers and admitted to a local clinic with severe injuries. Sheikh Giashuddin, general secretary of Ajax Jute Mills Workers Union, said production will remain stopped for an indefinite period if weekly wages of 1,750 workers are not paid by tomorrow. When contacted, Deputy General Manager (DGM) Hedayetul Islam said it will not be possible for him to pay wages before Sunday. Police have been deployed in the mill area as tension is running high there.