Four Laid-off Jute Mills in Khulna
CBA leaders 'extorted' Tk 5cr from workers
Mill authorities claim, plan to take legal action
Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Thirty-three leaders of collective bargaining agents (CBA) at four laid off state-owned jute mills have allegedly extorted about Tk 5 crore from 22,000 workers in last five years, mill authorities said. The leaders forcibly took away the amount from the workers' pay slip, they said. Managements of the mills concerned are planning to take legal action against the CBA leaders. The CBA leaders accused of extorting money from workers include 14 at Crescent Jute Mills, eight at Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills, six at People's Jute Mills and five at Star Jute Mills. They forced workers to pay 30 per cent of their arrear wages 'as tips'. They threatened workers of losing jobs in case of non-payment of tips, said a BJMC Zonal Office high official. The lists of the leaders have been sent to the ministry of jute, BJMC chairman and officials concerned of the law enforcing agencies, for necessary action, he said. BJMC Zonal Office also prepared a list of 300 workers and employees of four mills who drew salaries, wages and other financial benefits without work and hampered mill production. 'Action will be taken against them as was done against 700 workers and employees of Crescent Jute Mills in last three months', said a BJMC official who did not want to be named. BJMC sources said the jute mills authorities issued pay slips for future claim when they could not pay arrear wages to workers due to financial crisis. CBA leaders purchased the pay slips from workers without giving 30 percent of their wages, said BJMC zonal coordinator Shamim Ahmed who termed the practice 'illegal'. 'We cannot pay arrear wages to anyone but to real worker against whom bill slips were issued', he said. A Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) high official said they have taken a drive to arrest the corrupt CBA leaders.
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