A number of workers of nine state-owned jute mills in Khulna and Jashore fell sick on Tuesday as their fast-unto-death continued for the third consecutive day.

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 took position in front of the mills.

They also staged demonstrations.

Workers of nine state-owned jute mills had gone on work abstention and observed fast-unto-death from December 10 to December 13.

Abdur Sattar, 55, a worker of Platinum Jute Mills, died at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) during the strike on December 12.

Later the workers postponed their hunger strike until December 17 upon assurance from the state minister for labour of fulfilling their demands.

On Friday, collective bargaining agents (CBAs) and non-CBA Songram Parishad leaders announced to resume hunger strike unto death from a meeting held in the city as the promise was not fulfilled.

The protesters’ demands include cancellation of public-private ownership of jute mills, allotting necessary fund for jute sector and others.