Another jute mill worker dies in Khulna

Another jute mill worker, who along with others had been on a hunger strike since December 10, died in Khulna Medical College Hospital on Sunday morning.

The deceased Sohrab, 55, was a worker of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Limited in Khulna.

Confirming the death, joint convener of state-owned jute mill CBA-Non CBA Sangram Parishad Khalilur Rahman said, "Sohrab, a worker of the mechanical department of Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills, had been admitted to a local hospital after falling ill during their fast-unto-death strike. He recovered and joined work on Saturday. But then he fell ill again and was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He died while being treated there at around 7:30am."

On December 12, another worker on hunger strike, Abdus Sattar, 45, died.

The jute mill workers went on the hunger strike on December 10 in front of nine jute mills in Khulna to press home their 11-point demand.

The demands include payment of regular wages, cancellation of public-private ownership, necessary fund for the jute sector, insurance for families of the deceased workers, provident fund and gratuity facility for retired workers, and regularisation of temporary workers.

On December 14, workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jashore industrial belt postponed the strike for three days following assurance from State Minister for Labour and Employment Mannujan Sufian.