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Workers of the Rajshahi Sugar Mill have launched a protest demanding the implementation of a wage commission along with two other key demands.
As part of their agenda, the workers held a gate meeting in front of the mill’s administrative building on Tuesday (July 21). They announced that their protest programmes will continue until July 23.
The protest is being carried out under the declared demands and action plan of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation Workers-Employees Federation, with active participation from the Rajshahi Sugar Mill Workers-Employees Union. Tuesday’s meeting was chaired by the union’s president, Masud Rana.
Among the key demands, workers called for the regularization of qualified seasonal labours into permanent positions.
They also demanded structured promotions every five or ten years to develop a skilled workforce. Additionally, they urged the implementation of a wage commission for workers in line with the pay commission, along with the 15 percent special benefit announced by the government on July 1 last year.
Union president Masud Rana said that most workers at the mill do not have year-round employment and work only a few months during the crushing season for low wages. Although they become skilled over time, they are not offered permanent positions. He stressed that these workers should be appointed permanently based on their experience and skills.
He further pointed out that while government officials receive allowances, workers in state-owned institutions are deprived of similar benefits. “This disparity cannot continue,” he said, demanding the formation of a wage commission for workers.
The meeting, moderated by worker Shariful Islam, was also addressed by union general secretary Rafiqul Islam Bhadu, vice-president Kamal Hossain, supervisor Tofazzal Hossain, and Abdul Khaleq Pratham.