Indefinite strike in jute mills from March 1

All trade unions of the jute sector barring the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress have announced an indefinite strike from March 1 on workers' various unmet demands.

Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union general secretary Anadi Sahu told reporters that the strike call was the last option for them after the workers' charter of 22 demands were ignored and not been heard since long.

"All the 21 trade unions of the industry have agreed to support the indefinite strike of jute mills, except INTTUC," he said.

The jute sector employs over 2 lakh workers in 65 mills in the state.

Sahu said the recent interim wage hike of Rs 70 with effect from February 1 2019 by West Bengal was a unilateral decision.

The state government, in a meeting held on January 17 this year with the jute industry and trade unions, had decided to give an interim relief of Rs 70, raising the wage to Rs 327 per day till the new wage agreement was finalised.

However, the relief would be applicable only to those workers who now get less than Rs 327 per day as wages.

Sahu said that besides the interim relief, no other demands were considered.