Laid-off jute workers stage sit-in

Laid-off workers of Alim Jute Mills (AJM) staged a sit-in in front of the office of its project director yesterday demanding reopening of the mill and payment of their arrears.
Covering their heads with pieces of white cloths, the demonstrating workers chanted slogans for withdrawal of the lay-off notice and resignation of BJMC chairman. They alleged that the BJMC chairman was playing a dirty role from behind the screen to prevent reopening of mill.
They will continue the two-hour sit-in till February 1 and go for rail-road barricade from February 2 till their demands are met.
The mill was laid-off on September 22 last year, which was extended four times. The last extension notice was issued on January 1.
Zonal coordinator of BJMC Abu Taher yesterday said that there he had no information regarding reopening of the mill.
Meanwhile, casual workers of six jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belt joined work yesterday morning following assurance by a high-level BJMC to resolve the crisis within a week and fulfill their five-point demand including payment of arrears.
The casual workers are agitating since December 30 last year to press the demands.
On Saturday, a four-member BJMC team arrived in Khulna to try to end the deadlock in jute mills.
The team comprised BJMC Director (finance) Harisuddin, Director (quality control) Masharef Hossain and Director (Research) Mohammod Ali Chowdhury.
They left Khulna for Dhaka yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, production in state-owned Star Jute Mill remained suspended from 6pm on Saturday following termination of two workers and suspension of three others by the management. The terminated workers are Monir Hossain and Zakir Hossain.
Tension is running high there as workers demonstrated demanding withdrawal of termination and suspension orders.