DHAKA: The government has shut down all the state-run jute mills in the country due to recurring losses and low productivity.

Moreover, government will pay around Tk5,000 crore dues of the workers of 25 mills registered under Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). 

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, principal secretary to the prime minister, said it in a press briefing at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday afternoon (July 2).

Earlier in the morning, the decision to close the BJMC mills was taken during a meeting in Ganabhaban between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and official concerned with the matter.

At the press briefing, Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said the mills have been shut down for renovation works and remodeling. The government wants to modernize the jute mills industry and provide better trainings to workers.

He also said present employees of the mills will get priority in the recruitment process when the mills restart in future. 

The principle secretary said government has allotted Tk5,000 crore for workers’ salaries and arrears. The payment will be made directly to their bank accounts. 

“Fifty percent of their dues will be paid in cash while the other 50% will be given through savings certificates,” he added.   

Earlier on June 28, the government decided to send 24,886 employees of state-owned jute mills into early retirement through ‘golden handshake’ scheme.

Textiles and Jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi held an online briefing in this regard.

The Golden Handshake is the process of removing a permanent worker from his job by paying his dues according to the wage commission, he added.

BDST: 1835 HRS, JULY 2, 2020
AP/SMS