BJMC issues letter to implement wage commission

Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) has issued a letter to jute mills to implement the long-awaited wage commission for the workers. 

The letter, signed by BJMC Secretary AKM Tareq, was sent out to mills in Khulna around 12pm on Tuesday, sources told Dhaka Tribune. 

When contacted, Khulna Crescent Jute Mill’s project head Gazi Shahadat Hossain confirmed that he had received the letter. 

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The letter comes nearly six hours after agitated jute mill workers from nine mills in Khulna and Jessore launched a 72-hour protest for immediate implementation of their nine demands, which include the wage commission, due gratuities, and provident fund. 

Workers of jute mills in other districts across Bangladesh have also joined in the demonstration, which is still in progress. 

Workers’ leaders have welcomed the BJMC’s decision, thanking the prime minister and the jute minister for accepting their demands. 

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Md Murad Hossain, president of CBA (collective bargaining agreement) at Crescent Jute Mill, said the leaders of the workers in the nine factories were going to sit for an urgent meeting at 6pm on Tuesday. 

At the meeting, the leaders will decide on their next course of action, he added.