Workers of 10 state-owned jute mills in Khulna, Jessore, and Narsingdi have continued their indefinite hunger strike unto death for the third consecutive day. Five workers were hospitalized, 25 were administered saline (IV Drip), and at least 250 workers fell sick while fasting in the cold.
The protests are being held to force the government to accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages.
About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna, JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jessore, and UMC jute mills in Narsingdi took position in front of the mills Tuesday morning.
In Khulna, the jute mill workers pitched tents made of jute and were holding sit-in protests on elevated makeshift stage.
Star Jute Mill’s Health Officer Abid Hossain said around 12 workers from his mill was administered IV Drip and no one was hospitalized till 2pm. Additionally, another 180 were given medical care.
Khalishpur Jute Mill worker Abu Mostafa said, from his camp, one worker, Gani, was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Crescent Jute Mill’s Sardar Dulal Sardar said around 11 workers were administered saline and 80 others were given primary treatment.
Visiting Khulna’s Khalishpur BIDC Road, Dhaka Tribune correspondent found that a section of the road from People’s Circle to Platinum jute mill was cordoned off and workers were sitting inside tents.
A worker from Star Jute Mill, Momena Khatun, who was sitting on a makeshift stage inside a tent, told Dhaka Tribune, that her husband died 8 years ago. She has to take care of her three children. She has difficulty surviving with what she earns. With the implementation of the wage commission, her family can run smoothly.
Another worker of Platinum Jute Mill, Mizanur Rahman said: “The cold is terrible between the hours of sunset and sunrise. The workers sit on the roads even during the chilly weather. We have no other way. We are ready to lay our lives. We will only return home after the implementation of the wage commission.”
Visiting Narsingdi sit-in protest, a correspondent found that UMC Jute Mill workers were huddled up on mats of jute. Many were falling sick due to winter illnesses. At least two were hospitalized over the last three days.
UMC Jute Mill’s CBA General Secretray Md Safikul Islam said: “Even though the workers slog day and night, the administration did not pay heed to their valid demands. On the other hand, through corruption they are looting public funds and causing losses. Losses are not incurred due to the jute mill workers.”
He said, till the 11-point demands are met, workers will continue strike and fast-unto-death.
Earlier, workers of nine state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10.
Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12.
Later the workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour of fulfilling their demands.
On December 27, Collective Bargaining Agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad leaders announced to resume hunger strike unto death from a meeting held in the city as the promise was not fulfilled.
The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills, allotting necessary fund for jute sector and others.
