Indefinite strike in Bengal jute sector from Dec 14

Over two lakh jute mill workers across West Bengal will go on an indefinite strike Dec 14 to press for payment of arrears and implementation of an wage agreement.

'Altogether 19 trade unions are going on strike. A total of 55 jute mills will be affected,' said Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) chairman Sanjay Kajaria.

However, Kajaria told IANS, IJMA has not received any notice from the trade unions yet.

Workers want clearance of dearness allowance and provident fund arrears, as well as implementation of wage agreements reached at a tripartite meet between them, mill owners and the state government.

Among the 19 trade unions, the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh that is affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will go on strike Nov 30.

The production loss per day is estimated to be around 3,770 tonnes.

Value-wise, the loss would be around Rs.17 crore (at Rs.45,000 per tonne), Kajaria said, adding that daily export revenue loss would be over Rs.3 crore.

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