They are trying to force the government to accept their 11-point demand, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages.
About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna and JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jashore took position in front of the mills.
They are showing no sign of backing off and vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Workers of the state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10 to December 13.
Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12. The workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour.
But the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad to resume hunger strike unto death.
The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotting necessary fund for jute sector.