KHULNA: The workers of all state-run jute mills across the country went on a 24-hour strike simultaneously to meet their 11-point demand from Wednesday morning.

Earlier on Tuesday, the jute mill CBA (collective Bargaining Agent) leaders had a meeting with state minister for Textile and Jute Mirza Azam at his secretariat office but they failed to reach a positive outcome.

Then, the workers leaders called the strike for 24 hours in all state-run jute mills to realize their demands, said CBA president of Platinum Jute Mill unit Shahana Sharmin.

For the strike, all types of production in the mills became halted, banglanews correspondent reports.

Some CBA leaders said that BGMC workers’ leaders will also declare strike for an indefinite period.

Sources concerned said that the government declared pay commission for jute mill workers in 2012 which is scheduled to be implemented in July of 2013.

According to the gazette of pay commission 2012, the government has to pay the wage among workers in four installments.

But workers were forced to enforce strike several times to get the wages declared by pay commission.  

On February 18, Sangram Parishad, Jute Mill Workers League, CBA and non-CBA leaders declared a 10-day protest program to meet 11-point demand after an urgent meeting at CBA office in Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation.

On March 4, Jute Minister Mirza Azam sought time to worker’s leaders till March 11 to meet the 11-point demands.

Later, the workers leaders called 24-hour strike as the result of the meeting with minister was not fruitful.

BDST: 1145 HRS, MAR 12, 2014