KHULNA: The government has allocated Tk 169.44 crore for emergency payment of Jute mill workers on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The finance division on Monday (May 27) disbursed the amount of money. However, the money has to be given to the workers' accounts through cheque.  

The move comes following Jute mill workers’ demonstration in different parts of the country, demand for wages, arrears and festival bonus.

From May 5, workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore regions started the strike and on 13 May, workers of 26 state-owned jute mills joined the strike.

Md. Murad Hossain, convener of the Jute Mill Worlkers League of the Khulna and Jessore regions, told Banglanews that the government has allocated Tk 169.44 crore for the workers of the jute mills. 

We are happy to hear this news. The workers who starved for long were very happy to hear this news. But only one demand was fulfilled in the movement. The workers were protesting for the nine-point demand. 

“We were disappointed because remaining 8-point demands, including Wage Commission did not meet”, he added.

When asked if all the workers have a bank account, he said, all have bank accounts.

Earlier on May 21, the jute mill workers postponed their strike for one week on three conditions. On the same day, workers returned their job.

After the tripartite meeting among Khulna district administration, BJMC and the workers, the 15-day movement has been postponed.

BDST: 1747 HRS, MAY 27, 2019
RS/SMS