Dinajpur: Boropukuria coalmine workers will go on strike from May 22 if their demand for regular appointment is not fulfilled by Tuesday, their union announced Monday, at the height of a series of demonstrations.

Boropukuria Coalmine Labour-Workers Union issued the ultimatum, after leading a prolonged agitation to achieve their demand according to provision of the labor and industry law 2006,

The ultimatum came from a press conference organized by the labor-worker union.

A written statement signed by president Mominul Haq Momin and general secretary Mustafizur Rahman of the Union alleged that some 292-coal workers were given provisional appointment according to government rules on May 6, 1999 and November 2, 2002.

The provisional appointment letter stated that the workers would be appointed as regular employee of stone project and granite-mining company Ltd, after successful completion of six-month apprenticeship.

“But the authorities broke the promise and forced the workers to work under different contractors since April 8, 2004 to March 31, 2010, which is a flagrant violation of the labor law,” said the union chief.

Meanwhile, the union is staging human chains and rallies regularly inside the coalmine project premises to press home their demand.

14:30 hrs, 17 April, 2010
MRH/AK/MUA