Workers of Hukum Chand Jute Mill ceased work on this day in protest against denial of basic labour rights. Thousands of workers from other mills joined them to raise their voice against police repression of the strike. In 1937, jute workers would go on a strike that would last for more than two months.
Jute mills, established in Bengal from the 1850s, were like sweat-shops.
From the beginning of the nineteenth century, especially around 1919, the year International Labour Organisation was founded, many workers’ unions were formed in Bengal. In November, 1925, the Workers’ and Peasants Party was founded in Bengal. BengalJute Workers’ Association was also formed in 1925, according to a labour union website.
The 1920s were marked by many workers’ strikes. In 1927, railway workers struck work in Kharagpur and in 1928, in Liluah.
In 1929, jute workers called a general strike, in which Bauria jute mill played a major role.