Khulna regional unit of Patkal Sangram Parishad yesterday observed daylong siege programmes at different industrial areas in Khulna and Jessore to press home their eight-point demand, our Khulna correspondent reports.

The jute mill workers in Khulna blockaded different areas including Atra industrial area and Khalishpur New Road intersection. Workers in the Rajghat industrial belt in Jessore also observed similar programmes.

Transport services on the Khulna-Jessore highway and train services remained suspended due to the siege programme.

Convenor of the Parishad Sarder Motaharuddin threatened with tougher nationwide movements for an indefinite period from Tuesday unless their demands were met by today.

Their eight-point demand include payment of all arrear salaries including Eid bonuses, reinstatement of laid off employees, reopening of closed jute mills and allocation of fund for purchasing raw jute.

In Narsingdi, traffic on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway was disrupted for an hour yesterday morning as jute mills workers barricaded the highway for realising their demands, reports UNB.

Police charged batons on the agitating workers that left at least 10 workers hurt. The injured were admitted to the sadar hospital.

Sources said over 500 workers of UNC Jute Mill, the biggest jute mill in the country, blockaded the road at around 10:00am to realise their eight-point demand that included arrears and allowances.

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road causing sufferings to the commuters.