The workers of Barapukuria Coal Mine along with their families staged demonstrations on Wednesday at the entrance of the coal mine to press home their two-point demand including payment of eight months’ arrears. According to the workers, some 700 workers are struggling as their eight months’ wages were not paid by the authorities. “Moreover, after sending them home due to Covid-19 two years have passed and the situation has become normal but they are not being allowed to join work yet,” said Abu Sufian, General Secretary of Barapukuria Coal Mine Miners' and Workers' Union. Read: Bangladesh bidi workers demand wage hike A total of 400 workers instead of 1100 are working inside the mine while the rest others were not allowed to join work. Besides, workers were also staging demonstrations in another entrance of the mine demanding to allow them to go home and work from there. On January 30, this year, coal extraction was suspended temporarily at Barapukuria Coal Mine after around 125 Bangladeshi officials and 50 Chinese officials, including the managing director tested positive for COVID-19.

Agitated workers of Barapukuria Coal Mine in Dinajpur demonstrated on Sunday and gave an ultimatum of 72 hours to fulfill their demand of payment of eight months' arrears and rejoining work to the authority. The workers gathered for a meeting at the mine’s entrance after a demonstration in the area and handed a memorandum of the demands to the representative of the mine authority around noon. Also read: 175 officials including MD of Barapukuria Coal Mine contract Covid; coal extraction suspended If the demands are not met by 12pm on April 27, workers will take position in front of the mine’s entrance along with family and celebrate a joyless Eid-ul-Fitr there, said Robiul Islam, President of Barapukuria Coal Mine Miners' and Workers' Union. “Some 700 workers are struggling as eight months wages are due. Moreover, after sending them home due to Covid-19 two years have passed and the situation has become normal but they are not being allowed to join work yet,” said Abu Sufian, General Secretary of Barapukuria Coal Mine Miners' and Workers' Union. Also read: Roof collapse at Barapukuria coal mine kills 2 On January 30, this year, coal extraction was suspended temporarily at Barapukuria Coal Mine after around 125 Bangladeshi officials and 50 Chinese officials, including the managing director tested positive for COVID-19.