Re-rolling, steel millers protest gas staggering

Our CorrespondentCHITTAGONG, Oct 31: Re-rolling and steel millers around Chittagong today staged demonstration against the holiday staggering of gas compelling full shut-down in the mills for four days a week. Owners, workers, employees and officials of each mill stood in hands together in front of their mill. Leaders of the re-rolling mill owners association said the protest in the form of silent human chain was demonstrated at the industrial areas including Nasirabad, Kalurghat, Fouzderhat, Khulsi-Sagorika, EPZ, Patenga, Halishahar, Kumira, Sitakunda, Bhatiary north and south zone and Mirsarai. The demonstration started at around 10 am in all the industrial areas simultaneously and ended at 11 am. Local people from around the mills in some areas also joined them, it is learnt. When contacted, Director of Bangladesh Steel Re-rolling Mill (BSRM) Tapan Sengupta told the FE this evening that the mills in Chittagong region have been subjected to gas staggering unlike anywhere in the country. "Most of the mills have suspended production due to step-motherly attitude of the gas distribution agency and the workers are facing uncertainty about getting their salaries and festival bonus. The government move has also left the mill owners," he said. Managing Director of Saleh Steel Enamul Huq Iqbal termed the staggering as conspiracy. "Our industrial units have been closed. We cannot comply with the supply orders from our customers and our investment has put to risk," he said. An elderly worker of his mill said they did not get salary of September till today and they cannot say anything to their owner because production in the mill remained suspended. Due to the gas staggering production remains suspended at Nasirabad industrial area from Friday to Sunday, Kalurghat industrial area from Wednesday to Friday, Khulsi-Sagorica-Fouzderhat industrial area from Saturday to Monday, EPZ, Patenga and Halishahar areas from Friday to Sunday, Bhatiary North zone, Kumira, Sitakunda and Mirsarai from Tuesday to Thursday and Bhatiary South zone and Baro Aulia area from Saturday to Monday. As many as 70 re-rolling mills have been reported to have staged demonstration and formed human chain for an hour today, association sources said.