We get to know only so much about what happens around us until literature takes an interest in it. The same would have happened with the shutdown of the jute mill in Khulna, nearly two decades ago, if a novel like Kalchakra (Annesha Prokashon, 2018) had not presented it to us.

“Take our dead bodies, give us our money back”, “We want to eat, we want to live”, “Give us food or we shall eat the constitution” -- these are the slogans imprinted on banners hanging all over Khalishpur. This part of Khulna city is host to nine state-run jute mills.

Jute mill workers’ demonstration for arrears and better wages entered its 11th day yesterday, but no one from the authorities contacted them till last night to resolve the crisis.

Workers of state-owned jute mills from across the country yesterday announced fresh demonstrations, including road blocks next week, to press home their nine-point demand.

We are worried about the escalation of violence during a three-day country-wide work abstention of different state-owned jute mills that left 16 people injured when clashes ensued between workers and police.