The workers of Quality Jute Mill in Feni, which was gutted in a fire about a week ago, are worried the factory won’t reopen in time for them to draw their July salaries and eid bonuses.
Several thousand workers were employed in the factory, which has been closed since the fire on July 23.
Abdul Karim, Abdur Rahim, Layela Akhter and Somamin Begum – all involved with the factory in various capacities – said they were going through an uncertain time.
They urged the authorities to carry out the necessary overhauling as soon as possible so that they can get back to work, and demanded their unpaid arrears.
“Our hope is that the authorities would pay our dues, including our July pay and Eid bonus, by no later than the coming Friday,” said Karim.
The mill’s owner Abdul Malek said he was expecting to reopen the factory soon with assistance from banks.
“It will not be long before the factory reopens. And every worker will get their salaries before Eid,” he said.
According to fire service sources, a “severe” fire broke out at the mill in the district’s industrial zone on July 23, damaging about Tk70m worth of jute merchandise. The mill’s general manager SM Iqbal claimed that the losses amounted to Tk180m.
The blaze also injured six persons, including three fire fighters who were injured during a rescue operation led by the Feni Fire Service.
