Bangladesh: Jute mill workers suspend strike April 16 /update 4

Event

Jute mill workers union leaders announce a halt to their ongoing strike and protest activities in the early hours (local time) of Tuesday, April 16. Around 00:15, the union president stated that all strike activities ongoing and planned in Khulna division would halt following a productive meeting with government representatives on wage backpay and other concerns. Work stoppages, protests, roadblocks and railway blockades planned for the upcoming week will be called off. A second meeting with the government and industry representatives will be held on Wednesday, May 8. Residual disruptions are possible in the coming hours and days as workers react to the news. Smaller protests and associate disruptions cannot be ruled out in the coming days.

Context

Jute mill workers in Khulna region began a 96-hour strike and protest on Sunday, April 14. Daily roadblocks were also planned from 08:00 to 12:00 throughout the week.

Jute mill workers have been staging protests, strikes, and blockades in recent weeks to protest late payment of wages and calling for increased job security. Around 50,000 people participated in protests in March. Clashes between protesters and police on Thursday, April 4, left 16 people wounded.

Advice

Individuals in Khulna division, and Bangladesh more generally, are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate residual protests, roadblocks, and associated travel disruptions, and avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution.