Tension mounts as sit-in continues

A tense situation is prevailing in the laid-off Alim Jute Mills following BJMC chairman's comment on allocation of fund for payment of all outstanding dues to workers and purchasing raw material.
BJMC Chairman Ataharul Islam said Sunday evening that lay-off notice would not be withdrawn if finance ministry does not allocate fund for purchasing raw materials and payment of outstanding dues.
He further said that BJMC required Tk 4.5 crore for payment of all outstanding dues of workers and employees.
He said BJMC gave a proposal to the government to privatise Alim Jute Mills (AJM) in view of increasing financial crisis and other liabilities.
The BJMC chairman did not make any comment whether the mill would be finally shut down or not.
Meanwhile, president of AJM workers union Abdus Salam yesterday said sit-in programme by workers would continue to press their demands.
BJMC chairman's latest observation about payment of outstanding dues has added fuel to the fury of workers. Workers are hungry and they will not bow down to any repressive measure if taken at all by the mill management, the CBA leader said.
Police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were deployed in and around the mill which was laid-off on Saturday.
Meanwhile, 608 retrenched and terminated workers of Pplatinum Jubilee Jute Mills got their all outstanding dues amounting to over Tk 7. 63 crore. The payments, made in cheques, ended Sunday night, mill sources said.
On the other hand, payment of dues except provident fund of 1305 retrenched and terminated workers of Crescent Jute mills (CJM) began on Sunday. By Tuesday, Tk 21.22 crore will be paid, said BJMC Project Director Abu Taher.
Payment of gratuity to workers of closed Peoples Jute Mills will begin on September 30, said its project director.