Among them, 50 workers fell sick in Khulna and Jashore and four others in Rajshahi.
“Eleven of them were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital(KMCH) and others were given saline in their respective mill gate areas,” said Murad Hossain, joint secretary of non-CBA SongramParishad.
They also vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.
About 50,000 workers of Star, Platinum, Crescent, Alim, Eastern, Daulatpur and Khalishpur jute mills in Khulna and JJI and Carpeting jute mills in Jashore started a fast-unto-death from December 29 to press for 11demands, including implementation of the wage commission and payment of regular wages.
Also Read- State-owned jute mills workers’ strike rolls into 4th day
Workers of the state-owned jute mills had earlier gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10 to December 13.
Abdus Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12. The workers postponed their strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour.
But the promises were not fulfilled, forcing the collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA SongramParishad to resume hunger strike unto death.
The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills and allotting necessary fund for jute sector.
In Rajshahi, workers four state owned jute mills are observing fast-unto-death in Katakhali area.
Four workers – freedom fighter Nowshad Ali, Emran Ali, Nazrul Islam and Md Islam—fell sick in the morning and they were admitted at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.