Bhorer Kagoj shuts down operations; workers stage protests

Authorities at Bengali daily Bhorer Kagoj newspaper have announced the closure of its operations.

A notice regarding the decision was hung on the main gate of the newspaper’s Malibagh office on Monday.

"The authorities of Bhorer Kagoj have decided to shut down the head office of the organization under Section 12 of the Bangladesh Labour Act-2006 due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control. This decision will take effect from January 20, 2025,” reads the notice.

Chief Reporter of the newspaper Khandaker Kawsar said employees had been protesting to demand their rights when the closure order came.

A list of demands was also submitted to the management, but the sudden closure came as a shock to the staff, he said.

"We have been facing discrimination for over a decade. The closure is highly condemnable. The journalists and the employees will announce protest programmes soon," said the chief reporter.

He said the management had planned to continue operations with 30-35 employees while laying off the rest.

"Our stance was clear—in case of layoffs, we had certain demands that must be addressed," he said.

The protesting staff said the Bhorer Kagoj authorities which implemented the 8th Wage Board to secure government benefits such as a Tk 900 per column-inch advertisement rate should clear all dues, including wages and service benefits, before any layoffs.

Their demands also included immediate implementation of the 8th Wage Board for all employees if layoffs do not occur, issuance of appointment letters to all employees, settlement of all pending dues and financial benefits as per the 8th Wage Board.

The newspaper was launched on February 15, 1992, under the slogan "The Daily for Free Thought."

The newspaper faced a significant blow following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Its editor Shyamal Dutta was arrested on September 16. He has been in prison since September 23.