Strike called after worker assaulted

Workers of Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Ltd (MGMCL) yesterday went on an indefinite strike, protesting an assault on a fellow worker by an official the day before.
They will continue the strike until the authority removes the official, said Ashiqur Rahman, acting general secretary of MGMCL Miners and Sramik Union.
The company's rock production, which is about 1700 tonnes per day, has been suspended, sources said.
An officer of the machinery department, Harun Ur Rashid without any cogent reason slapped Hafizur Rahman, a miner, when he was at work Wednesday afternoon, said workers.
Hafizur said Harun had also hurled insults at him.
He informed high officials, including Engineer Abu Taleb, deputy manager (underground), of the matter and they assured him of taking action against the offence.
When the authorities did not take any action throughout the day, miners at night held a meeting and decided not to join work until Harun was dismissed, said the union members.
Workers said the company in October 2010 sacked five miners including then president and secretary of the miners' union as they had allegedly assaulted an officer inside the complex.
But this time the authority did not take any action against an officer for assaulting a miner, said Mojahidul Haque Shah, acting president of the miners' union.
He demanded that the five sacked miners be reinstated.
No MGMCL officials could be reached over the phone for their comments.