Workers of Ashuganj Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited on Sunday staged a rally and gate meeting demanding uninterrupted gas supply and equal pay scales, as production at the plant has remained suspended for 162 consecutive days due to a gas shortage.
The rally was chaired by AFCCL Workers-Employees Union President Md Bazlur Rashid and addressed by Senior Vice-President and General Secretary of the Brahmanbaria District Workers Welfare Federation Md Akter Hossain, General Secretary Abu Kausar, Bangladesh Chemicals Workers Federation Organising Secretary Harunur Rashid, and labour leader Moniruzzaman Pavel, among others.
Following the protest, workers marched to the administrative building, where they submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Industries through the general manager (administration).
Union leaders alleged that employees at various factories under the same corporation are subject to different pay scales, creating long-standing disparities. They also claimed that disruptions in gas supply are harming production and damaging national interests.
“We have repeatedly raised our justified demands regarding gas supply and pay scale,” Union General Secretary Abu Kausar said. “As no solution has been reached, we are highlighting the legitimacy of our demands through peaceful programmes.”
Union President Bazlur Rashid warned that the movement would intensify if the issues of gas supply and pay scale were not resolved quickly.
Bakhrabad Gas Company’s Ashuganj Regional Office Deputy General Manager Engineer Zahid Reza said discussions had been held between the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and Petrobangla, resulting in a decision to supply gas to four fertiliser factories. “However, no directive has been issued regarding gas supply to Ashuganj Fertiliser,” he added.
AFCCL Managing Director Pradip Kumar Nath said production had been halted since March due to the gas crisis, with 1,200 tonnes of urea lost daily. “If the plant remains idle for a long period, machinery parts could rust, causing damage,” he said. “We are in communication with Petrobangla and hope to receive gas supply by September or October.”