The workers of seven state-run jute mills in Khulna and Jessore region have blockaded the local highway and railway on a five-point demand including financing the mills by the government.
Yesterday was the last day of their 18-day programme, which lasted for four hours starting from 10am.
The blockade took place on the Khulna-Jessore highway at Natun Rasta Moorh under Khalispur industrial area and on Phulbari rail gate in Atra industrial area, causing severe tail back on both sides of the busy road.
Owing to the move, an intercity train from Khulna left the station in a late of two and a half hours while another Khulna-bound train touched the destination after one hour than the usual time.
When asked, Khulna Railway Station Master Md Rafiqul Islam acknowledged the late, saying the blockade pushed them to the untoward situation and the commuters became victim of the suffering.
State-run jute mills’ CBA and non-CBA Oikya Parishad called the programme, during which the production in the units came to a halt.
In the morning, the workers from respective mills brought out procession and took position on the highway as well as on rail track.
The parishad’s leaders alleged that the mills authorities failed to buy necessary volume of jute for want of money and that is why the units may face closure in the future.
Consequetly, the workers may suffer possible unemployment, they went on.
