The workers of state owned jute mills in Khalishpur, Khulna have forgotten when they last got their wages. The local traders are the end of their tether in giving credit to the workers of the jute mills.
Local small store owners are almost bankrupt. One shop owner, Abdus Sattar, said: “Though my capital is only Tk 300,000, I have sold goods worth Tk 500,000 in credit in the last three months.”
Labour leader of Crescent Jute Mills, Abu Hanif, said: “We are general workers and have been leading a life of privation for the last three months without any salary.”
The workers of jute mills in Khulna are carrying on with their protests to get their dues.
Labour leader Murad adds: “Many workers are starving due to lack of food but the authority is apathetic.”
Jute workers have been carrying out a campaign since Mar 13 with their 9 point demands that include allocation of funds, payment of arrear wages and gratuity and other benefits.
On May 7, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), promised to implement the wages commission by May 18 and pay all the arrears.
After this, the workers joined work; on Apr 25, the state minister for labour took another week. However, when that deadline passed, the workers stopped work and from May 13, declared a protest in 26 state owned jute mills across the country.