Chaos in the jute sector

It is with great discomfort that we are witnessing the indefinite strike enforced by the state-run jute mill workers, which is causing sufferings to the general public. The workers have been protesting for more than a week now, pressing for a set of demands related to their arrears, a new wage commission and fair wages.

While private jute mills are making profits through domestic and export sales, the public jute mills are suffering from huge losses despite the government investing heavily in this sector. Inefficiency, corruption, lack of competition, the prevalence of “ghost” workers and other reasons have contributed to the stagnant condition of the jute industry.

It is high time the government installed a proper monitoring system to check the performance of the management. Furthermore, new technology should be introduced to increase the efficiency of the production process, and jute products should be improved so that both domestic and international demands for these products can be created. But the former glory of the jute industry, which once commanded the respect of consumers around the world, cannot be restored unless corruption is eliminated from its very core.