Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
To protect the country's jute market, the Bangladesh Jute Growers and Traders Association urged the government on Monday to reopen at least 10 jute mills among the production units that were closed around three years ago due to recurring losses.
"Nearly three and a half years have passed [since the closure], but no mill has resumed operation so far," said Abdul Aziz, the organizing secretary of the association, during a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
On July 1, 2020, the government, in a notification, shut down 26 state-owned jute mills operated by the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC).
Subsequently, authorities announced that all closed jute mills under the BJMC would be reopened in phases. There have also been discussions about leasing out the mills to private ventures.
Regarding the privatisation bid, Abdul Aziz said various attempts were made to run the mills under private ownership arrangements, but the government has not succeeded.
"Even several mills, which are now running under the lease arrangement, are not producing," he said.
Aziz said many mills have not been able to reach lease agreements so far. As a result, the machinery in those mills is rusting and becoming useless.
He said the officers and employees of those mills are still in their positions. Around 300 officers and employees from 26 jute mills, including the head office of the BJMC, have been receiving salaries every month for three and a half years without performing any work.
He said the government would not incur losses from those mills in the current situation, as there are currently no permanent workers.
The trade union also has no activity, and he mentioned that the officials and employees of the mills remain highly alert. Consequently, the mill's environment is very calm, safe and productive.
In this case, he argued that once 10 mills resume their operation, a vibrant atmosphere will return to the mill areas.
General Secretary of the association Md Harunur Rashid said if the government does not immediately reopen 10 jute mills, the country's jute market will collapse.