Jute mill workers postpone hunger strike for three days

Workers of nine state-run jute mills located in Khulna and Jashore have postponed their indefinite hunger strike for three days from today (Saturday).

This follows their meeting with state minister for labour and employment Begum Munnujan Sufian on Friday night.

Jute Mills Collective Bargaining Association (CBA) and Non-CBA leaders were present.

During the meeting, they agreed to postpone their strike to mark the Martyred Intellectuals Day (December 14) and Victory Day (December 16).

The minister assured them of meeting their set of demands, especially the longstanding wage commission, and personally taking it up with the prime minister.

For discussing implementation of the commission, an inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled at the textile and jute ministry around 11:00am tomorrow (Sunday).

Besides, the government will sit in another meeting with the workers' leaders at the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC) around 3:00pm the same day.

The workers said that they would resume their strike from Tuesday next.

Earlier on Tuesday, the workers started their strike to push for their demands as the government had not met their demands even after repeatedly warning of their programme.

While on hunger strike for the last four days, at least one jute mill worker died and 200 others were hospitalised in Khulna city.