‘Won’t go home until our issues are resolved’

At least 29 jute mill workers fell ill from starvation and dehydration yesterday in Khulna, on the second day of the indefinite hunger strike being observed by thousands of workers -- and their family members -- of nine state-owned jute mills in the Khulna-Jashore industrial belt.

Around 31,000 people took position in front of the main gates of their respective mills -- Star, Platinum, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur, and Khalishhpur in Khulnam and JJI and Carpeting in Jashore district since Tuesday.

“At least 29 workers fell sick and were sent to different hospitals including Khulna Medical College Hospital,” said Sahana Sharmin, president of Platinum Jute Mill Workers’ Union.

“We have proven our patience earlier, and we will follow a systematic demonstration. As a part of it, we started the indefinite hunger strike with the assistance and confidence of general jute workers,” she added.

“We are yet to get a wage commission, that was announced in 2015,” she further said, adding, “The government is promising to consider all our demands, but we want a permanent solution.”

Sahara Parvin, a worker of Star Jute Mill who took part in hunger strike, told The Daily Star, “I do not want to return home without a solution to the issues we have been facing for years.”

Her seven-year-old daughter Ruhin Sultana was also seen taking part in the hunger strike with her mother at the mill gate.

This correspondent found big tents erected near mill gates on BIDC road in Khalishpur, where hundreds of workers took shelter with pillows and blankets to protect themselves from the cold.

A big tent was also seen in front of Crescent Jute Mill, the biggest jute mill in Bangladesh.

This correspondent spoke to worker Sobhan Miah (67), one of the frontliners of the demonstrations.

“If worker leaders fail to run the strike, I personally will go to the prime minister to draw her attention,” said a determined Sobhan.