Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial regions have continued with their hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day, during which around 60 protesters fell ill.
Among them, Md Hanif of Star Jute Mill had to be sent to the Khulna Medical College Hospital, as his health condition deteriorated severely. Apart from him, a few others were also sent to local clinics and health complexes to receive treatment. While, saline (ivy drip) was administered to the rest of the others as they had become very weak.
About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna and Jessore Jute Industries (JJI) and Carpeting Jute Mills in Jessore took position in front of their respective mills on Wednesday morning.
The aim of this protest is to make the government accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages.
The workers vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Workers of the state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed hunger strike from December 10 to December 13.
Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12. The workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour.
But the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad to resume hunger strike till their deaths.
The protesters' demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotting necessary fund for jute sector.
