Address the jute mill workers’ grievances

For the last four days, demonstrations by jute mill workers in Khulna, Jessore and Dhaka have disrupted traffic on the major highways connecting these regions with the capital. Needless to say, the public have suffered in many ways. Transportation of essential items have been hampered, not to speak of the thousands put in physical inconvenience due to long tailbacks. The jute mill workers have also threatened continuous agitation and blockade of roads and railway from May 13, if they are not paid by then.

We find it difficult to understand why the BJMC has failed to live up to its commitment made to the representatives of jute mill workers that they would be paid by April 25. A fortnight has elapsed since then, and we are still being told that the BJMC is on the right track and that they have written to the government for extra funds.

The jute workers are victims of a very poorly managed sector that has very bright prospects. Once the largest source of foreign exchange, the jute industry is in dire straits today. Despite the government plan announced last year to create a Tk 10,000 crore fund to revitalise the sector, very little seems to have been done in this regard. In spite of the fact that Bangladesh meets more than 95 percent of all worldwide demand for jute yarns, we have failed to diversify in the face of shrinking global demand in the last decade. And we are having to face para tariff and anti-dumping duties on Bangladeshi jute goods. The woes have been exacerbated by poor management, shoddy planning, and non-enforcement of the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act passed in 2010.

The workers have been without pay for nearly two months. Isn't it unfair to expect people to work with empty stomachs? However, while we empathise with their cause, we feel that ventilating demands should be done in a way that does not cause public inconvenience. For its part, the government should take immediate steps to resolve the matter of their pay and benefits.