Jute mill workers in Khulna have started communicating among themselves in realizing their demands ahead of the 12th national polls. Seven jute mills in the private sector were declared shut in Khulna in 2020, throwing thousands of workers and employees out of work. Ahead of the national polls, these workers are now a big factor for all the contestants in six Khulna constituencies.
Moreover, a large number of workers are yet to get financial benefits after the closure of these mills.
The government had shut down 25 state-owned jute mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC) the same year.
Workers’ leaders told Dhaka Tribune that there were around 50, 000 workers in these seven mills, most of whom are votes in Khulna-3 constituency.
Additionally, many of them live with their families and as a result the number of affected voters from this shutdown could be much larger.
The Khulna-3 constituency comprises Khalishpur, Daulatpur and Khanjahan Ali Metropolitan area. Four jute mills out of the seven closed down in 2020 are in Khalishpur.
Star Jute Mills is situated in Dighalia, which falls under Khulna-4. Alim Jute Mills and Eastern Jute Mills are situated in Atra, which falls under Khulna-5.
Many of the workers also moved to areas under Khulna-1, Khulna-2 and Khulna-3 after losing their jobs. They have taken up different professions to feed their families. Some have become rickshaw pullers and others have become small vendors or are working as day laborers. Female workers are now serving as house help.
One of such workers, Md Shaokat Ali said he has been pulling a rickshaw to feed his family of five after losing his job at Khalishpur Jute Mills. He said that thousands of workers are now hoping to be paid their arrears and financial benefits before the polls.
Sohrab Hossain, a former CBA leader at Crescent Jute Mills, told Dhaka Tribune that a large number of the altogether 250,000 voters in Khulna-3 constituency are former jute mill workers. According to him, the ruling party candidate in the constituency might face the heat of the anger and disappointment of these voters in the polls if the workers are not paid their financial benefits.
Munir Chowdhury Sohel, convener of district Ganosamhati Andolan, said that the struggle to establish the voting rights of the people is connected to the rights of the workers. The people who lost their jobs will express their dissent through ballots, he added.
Advocate Kudrat-e-Khuda, secretary of the Khulna district committee of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN), said many workers have been living below the poverty line since the government closed down these mills and their discontent may decide the fate of the candidates in the national polls, he said.
Md Shahidul Islam, general secretary of Daulatpur Thana Awami League (AL), acknowledging such realities, said the prime minister is committed to clearing the dues of the workers before the polls.
Tariqul Islam, former joint secretary of Khulna Metropolitan BNP, told Dhaka Tribune that the workers had to leave empty handed when the mills were closed down. They will now give a befitting reply to such repression, he added.
SM Kamal Hossain, organizing secretary of the AL and the ruling party candidate in Khulna-3 constituency, said the workers who had lost their jobs and are still waiting to be paid their dues will not have a big impact on the polls results. “I will be able to solve their problems quickly if I win in the elections,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
According to the Khulna divisional Election Commission office, there are close to 20 lakh voters in the division this year.