Railways blockaded in jute mill workers’ strike

Jute mill workers blockaded railways and roads across Bangladesh in strike over a set of demands including formation of a wage commission.

Rail links were blockaded in Khulna and Chattogram and road blocks were placed in Chattogram and Rajshahi, our local correspondents report.

Tyres burnt to block the Khulna-Jessore highway in Khulna by the jute mill workers. Photo: Star

The four-hour blockade from 8:00am to 12noon is part of their announced 72-hour strike, that started from today, to press for their nine-point demands.

In Khulna, they blockaded Dhaka-Khulna railway form 8:00am at Doulatpur and Kashipur and placed a blockade on Khulna-Jessore highway.

Blockade placed on Dhaka-Khulna railway during the 72-hour strike of the jute mill workers in Khulna. Photo: Star

Manik Chandra Sarkar, station master of Khulna Railway Station, said Dhaka-Khulna railway was blockaded. “Only the Benapole-bound train could leave this morning.”

In Chattogram, workers of Amin Jute Mill blockaded the shuttle train service of Chittagong University at Sholoshahar in city this morning.

In Rajshahi, about 1,500 workers of Rajshahi Jute Mill tried to blockade Dhaka-Rajshahi highway for a brief while before withdrawing.

Jute mill workers of Rajshahi Jute Mill demonstrating in front of their mill on April 2, 2019. Photo: Star

Last reported, they were demonstrating near the gates of their jute mill.

The pinnacle of their demand is the implementation of the National Wage Commission 2015. Others include clearing dues, and compensating for workers’ death.