Jute and textile workers yesterday announced a 96-hour industrial strike along with road-rail blockade in September to press for their long-standing demands, reports UNB.

Addressing a press conference in the city, labour leader Abul Bashar said workers of both public and private Jute and textile mills would enforce the country-

wide programme beginning September 17.

The strike and blockade programme was endorsed Sunday at a Joint convention of Patkal Sramlk-Karmachari Sa ngram Parishad. Bangladesher Suta-Bastrakal Sramlk-Karmachari Federation. Bastra Sramik League and Private Sector Jute Mills CBA Coordination Committee.

Demands of the workers include implementation of tlie Minimum Wage Award in private sector jute and textile mils. 30 per cent dearness allowance, regular payment and scrapping the tenders called for selling Jute and textile mills and accord with the World Bank

They are also demanding compensation for the workers killed and injured during their earlier agitation programme. release of the arrested labourers and rein-

statement of those retrenched or sacked earlier reopening of the closed mills and Implementation of the accords sl*>ed between the government and trade

The jute and textile mills workers enforced a 72-hour strike and blockade In January and another 96-hour programme in February which were marked by wide scale violence.

They also observed a 120 hour strike programme last month in the private-sector Jute, textile and spinning mills demanding a minimum wage of Tk 950

Claiming that the private-sector workers are working at a pay of Tk 560 fixed In 1985. Abul Bashar alleged that the private owners pedalled back from Implementing the minimum wages under the influence of the government

The 'plunderer-owners have already laid off some mills, retrenched hundreds of workers and are now hatching conspiracy to close down Mukbular Rahman Jute. Kohinoor Jute. Afil Jute and Ajax Jute Mills without paying the salaries of workers.

he said

The trade union leader hoped that the government and the authorities concerned would realise their demands through discussion with the labour force.

The workers will organise rallies and processions in ail the Jute, textile and spinning mills from today to September 15. They will also organise a rally in Dhaka

Labour leader* Alhaj M A Aziz. Lutfor Rahman. Shahidullah Chowdhury. Iqbal Majumder S M Rumi. Z M Kamrul Anam. Mozammei Haq Shah Alam. Shariat Ullah and Anwara Begum were present at the press conference at the Workers Party office