NEPALGUNJ: Half a dozen industries in Banke district have been closed due to the workers’ agitation.

Vikas Floor Mill, Gyan Product, Pratibha Rice Mill and Saurav Oil Mill of Parbatipur-based KL Dugad Group and Nepalgunj-based Puja Dal Mill have been closed. Puja Dal Mill has been shut for five days while the industries of Dugad group have been closed since Thursday. They were closed when the workers started agitation demanding minimum wages, services and facilities.

Stating that the management did not accept their memorandum and used police to disrupt their agitation, the workers today organised an indefinite sit-in at the factory premises. Stating that an agreement made with Puja Dal Mill was not implemented, the workers affiliated with All Nepal Industrial Workers’ Organisation have halted all the works in the factories.

Workers of KL Dugad Group have demanded life insurance, implementation of Labor Act and guarantee of employment. “We were forced to stage stir as the management declined to discuss our demands,” said an agitating staffer.