Bangladesh mine shut by strike, employees held hostage

Author: 
SERAJUL ISLAM QUADIR | REUTERS
Publication Date: 
Fri, 2010-03-26 00:27

As the indefinite strike at the Barapukuria coal mine, in the country's northern Dinajpur district, entered a third day, two ministers and energy officials were negotiating to try to end the confinement of around 750 employees and their families.
.”..They only allowed us to send in some baby food," said an official of the state-run Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation or Petrobangla.
The mine employs about 1,100 miners and 360 other workers and officials, many of whom stay within the complex with their families. More than 200 Chinese staff from the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) were among those being confined, officials said.
"With the help of police we are trying to supply food and other essentials for the families held inside," Mohammad Hussain Monsur, chairman of the Petrobangla, said by telephone from the coal mine site, 415 km (260 miles) north of the capital, Dhaka.
The miners have been on strike since Tuesday, demanding an immediate increase in their pay and benefits.
They say a 2008 deal struck between the government, the mine operator and workers to increase their pay by 8 percent in February each year has not been honored.
The coalfield produces about 2,000 tons of coal a day, supplying two power plants with a total capacity of 250 MW.

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