Jute workers demand arrears by Jan 22

Casual workers of six jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt yesterday urged the project directors of the mills to pay their arrears from the fund allocated by the government on Thursday.
The government has allocated Tk 5 crore for payment of arrears of workers of six jute mills on emergency basis.
Casual Workers' Action Committee leaders urged this at a meeting held at Khalishpur. They appealed to the management of the mills not to create any untoward situation by delaying full payment of all arrears to the workers from the government fund by January 22. They have threatened self-immolation for non-payment of dues.
Workers who quit their jobs under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) have given the ultimatum to the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) authorities by the deadline to avoid dire consequences.
Action committee convenor Shahidul Islam Giash chaired the meeting.
Casual workers are on agitation since December 30 last year to realise their five-point demand. They observed work stoppage resulting in sharp decline in production in the six-state-owned jute mills.
General workers of Crescent Jute Mills, Platinum Jute Mills and Star Jute Mills held a rally at Patherbazar in Digholia upazila in Khulna in the afternoon.
An amount of over Tk 350 crore is needed for payment of arrears of daily casual workers, 7,000 permanent workers, workers under VRS and those on forced retirement in six jute mills of Khulna-Jessore industrial belt, said a source in BJMC zonal office.