Workers of state-owned jute mills have called off their strike following a meeting with the government.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi made the announcement on Thursday (Jan 2) after a meeting with the workers' leaders in Dhaka.
According to a statement by the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, it has been decided in the meeting, which was also attended by State Minister for Labour Monnujan Sufian, the workers will be provided with pay slip in line with the National Wage Scale 2015 by 15 days.
About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna, and JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jessore started a hunger strike on Dec 29 to press home their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages.
The protesters’ demands also include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotment of necessary fund for jute sector.
At least 148 workers of state-owned jute mills in Khulna, Jessore and Rajshahi fell sick as their fast-unto-death reached its fifth day on Thursday.
Among them, 18 workers were admitted to different hospitals, while 130 were administered saline through intravenous drip.
Textile and Jute Minister Gazi took initiatives to hold a meeting with the protesters on Thursday to solve the problem, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation Chairman Md Abdur Rauf said.
Upon receiving a letter from the ministry, CBA (collective bargaining agents) and non-CBA Sangram Parishad leaders arrivedin Dhaka for the meeting, he further added.
Workers of the state-owned jute mills had earlier gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto death on December 10-13.
Abdus Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital on Dec 12, during the strike. The workers postponed their strike until Dec 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour.
However, the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the CBA and non-CBA Sangram Parishad to resume hunger strike unto death, which was called off on Thursday.