Jute mill workers observe strike

Nearly 2.5 lakh workers in West Bengal today observed a day-long strike in support of their charter of demands which included rise in the minimum entry-level wages.
The workers belonging to 20 operating unions affiliated to various political parties also staged a rally in the heart of the city.
Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) chairman Raghavendra Gupta told PTI that the workers of 64-odd jute mills had gone on a day's strike for implementation of the charter of demands which was submitted in February 2013.
The IJMA, which is a mill owners' body, contended that dilution of the mandatory jute packaging control order by the Centre was affecting production volumes leading to curtailment of shifts and occasional closures.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said at a function at Haldia today that tea and jute were the two sectors which were having some problems.
"Owners must sort out the problem. One must understand that all employees are not equal. In jute it is a recurring problem," she said.