Out of 3,100 retrenched workers, 650 will be paid off in the first phase.

BJMC Chairman Ataharul Islam said that the dues of the remaining workers would be paid in phases.

Two BJMC high-ups - General Manager (Quality Control) Abu Taher and General Manager (Finance) Mosharef Hossain - reached Khulna from Dhaka on Monday night to monitor the payment process. Besides, two finance ministry officials were staying in Khulna to oversee the process.

The deputy commissioner of Khulna and members of Joint Forces and Rab were asked to provide necessary help to the authorities. DC S M Firoze Alam was present when cheques were handed over to the retrenched workers.

A four-member BJMC team has been formed to check whether there is any discrepancy in the payment of dues.

People's Jute Mills Project Director Habibur Rahman said Tk 1.2 crore would be required for the payment of dues of 650 workers.

Meanwhile, 2,047 workers of state-owned Star Jute Mills continued to observe work stoppage for the third consecutive day Tuesday demanding payment of dues.

Production of the mill remained suspended from Sunday due to the work stoppage.

Star Jute Mills Workers' Union President Molla Abdus Sattar said the workers had been demanding payment of dues and other benefits including gratuity.