Khulna Jute Mills
Civic bodies appeal for payment of arrears
Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Leaders of Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC) and Civic Right Group 'Udbigno Nagorik Samaj in separate statements yesterday appealed to the government for allocation of more funds to pay arrear wages of eight state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt. At least Tk 48 crore is needed for the payments to of about 30,000 workers. They also demanded allocation of fund for buying raw materials and reopening of all sections of laid-off jute mills. Leaders of the two organizations urged authorities of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) of provide medical treatment to workers who have been suffering from various diseases due to want of food and medicine. Meanwhile, workers who have joined sacking sections at Star, Crescent and Platinum jute mills fearing termination were again refused even partial payment of their arrear wages yesterday, sources in the mills said. There is no fund to pay arrears, some workers said quoting the BJMC zonal coordinator. Four state-owned jute mills in Khulna were laid off 1st month following violent protest by workers and employees for payment of their arrear salaries and benefits. Lay-off of the mills threw several thousand workers out of work. The BJMC who over, resumed operation of sacking sections of two of the mills but this could not draw good response from workers.
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