The workers of nine state-owned jute mills—in Khulna and Jashore—have gone on a 24-hour strike starting at 6am on Tuesday (Mar 12).

The mills have ceased production for the time being.

The Owner of Platinum jute mill, Khalilur Rahman, confirmed the incident and said, “A strike is in effect. The workers have presented a nine-point demand. These include: the clearance of outstanding wages, a wage commission, gratuities, provident fund payments, and making transfer workers permanent.”

He said workers from the Crescent, Platinum, Khalishpur, Daulatpur, Star, Alim, and Eastern mills joined the protest.

Labour leader of the protest Md Sohrab Hossain said, “We are protesting to actualize our nine-point demand.”

Around 50,000 workers of nine state-owned jute mills—of Khulna and Jessore—staged a protest at Khalishpur New Market Road, on Sunday, to press home their nine-point demand.

As part of their protests, the workers will hold a 48-hour strike on March 19, and a meeting in Dhaka on March 24, where they will announce their next course of action.