'Govt working to reopen, modernise BJMC’s mills'

The government is working to reopen Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC)’s recently closed mills on an urgent basis by modernising and restructuring the jute production system in view of the current market and future prospects of diversified jute products.

Additional secretary of the textiles and jute ministry Mohammad Abul Kalam on Tuesday said this while addressing a press conference on recent jute related issues at the Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC), reports BSS.

It is informed in the briefing that after the liquidation, the country’s jute mills will be brought back to production as soon as possible under public-private partnership (PPP) or joint venture or G-to-G or lease model under the control of the government.

All the relevant provisions of the Labour Act have been followed in declaring termination of employment of workers and closure of jute mills.

Appropriate legal action has also been taken to determine the amount of dues and payment of the workers, informed in the briefing.

Recently, two high-level committees have already been set up to make recommendations on modernisation and reactivation of mills in a proper manner and take pragmatic steps in the light of the changed situation of BJMC’s manpower structure.

All dues of retired workers (8,954) since 2014, all due wages of current workers (24,886), provident fund and gratuity(at maximum 27 per cent gratuity rate) will be paid cent per cent all-together when they will retire and around Tk 5,000 crore will be provided from the government budget in this regard.

After modernising and reopening mills under new model, new employment opportunities will also be created and all current workers will get job in those mills on priority basis.