Khulna state-owned jute mill workers stage demo protesting closure of the mills
If this decision is not changed by June 30, workers and their family members will go on a hunger strike unto death from July 1
Workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and their family members have staged a two-hour demonstration in front of their respective mills protesting the government's decision of closing state-owned jute mills.
The demonstration, organised by state-owned jute mills' Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) -Non-CBA Sangram Parishad, was held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday.
Sardar Abdul Hamid, convener of the Sangram Parishad, said "An inter-ministerial meeting on June 25 decided to close 25 state-owned jute mills as per the World Bank's prescription. If this decision is not changed by June 30, workers and their family members will go on a hunger strike unto death from July 1."
"Textiles and Jute minister will hold a meeting with the Sangram Parishad at noon today. The labour leaders of Khulna have left for Dhaka to participate in the meeting. The next move of their protest programme depends on the success of this meeting," Sardar Abdul Hamid added.
Meanwhile, Debashish Basak, chief assistant commissioner of Media Cell in Khulna Deputy Commissioner's Office, said, "A press conference on the overall situation including the dues of the workers will be held in the conference room of Khulna Circuit House at 12:00 pm today."
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq will be present at the press conference as the chief guest.