Govt to Revive Jute Sector: Additional Secy

The government is determined to revive the jute sector by modernizing state-owned mills, said Mohammad Abul Kalam, NDC, additional secretary of Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

The government is working to reopen closed mills of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation on an urgent basis by modernizing and restructuring the jute production system in view of the current market and future prospects of diversified jute products, he said.

After the liquidation, the country's jute mills will be brought back to production as soon as possible through government-controlled public-private partnership (PPP), joint venture GTZ, or lease model, said the additional secretary.

He said this at a views exchange meeting with journalists on the permanent solution of state-owned jute mill’s existing situation and implementation of government decisions aimed at reviving the jute sector, in the conference room of the Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC).

The government’s decision was applauded on behalf of the majority of the workers and the civil society. Nevertheless, some people are trying to create confusion among people by spreading false information and their purpose-driven interpretation.

There is no allocation from BJMC to stop the labor movement or to conduct workers' gate meetings as part of the movement and no money has been spent in this sector. Similarly, BJMC has not spent any money so far for conducting CBA activities, he said.

All the relevant provisions of the Labor Act have been followed in declaring the termination of employment of workers and closure of jute mills. Proper legal steps have also been taken to determine the amount owed to the workers and to pay it, said

As the job of the workers has been terminated from 1st July 2020, according to the provisions of the Labor Act, they have no claim or dues after the day except for 60 days, wages of the notice period.

Already wages of 30 days, half of the notice period, have been paid with the money received from the finance department.

At the same time, two high-level committees have already been set up to make recommendations on the modernization and reactivation of mills in a proper way and rationalization in the changed situation of BJMC's manpower structure.

Earlier on June 28, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi said 25 mills under BJMC will be shuttered in the face of staggering losses.

All workers will be released with ‘golden handshakes’.