Munnujan asks jute workers to accept golden handshake peacefully

State minister for labour and employment Munnujan Sufian on Monday requested the workers of state owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) to accept the closure of its 25 mills announced on Sunday, along with the so-called ‘golden handshake’ for workers, peacefully, reports UNB.

She came up with the request in a meeting with leaders of jute mill workers who had arrived at Sromo Bhaban to meet her, one day after textiles and jute minister Golam Dastagir made the announcement. In future, the mills may reopen under the PPP model, or completely under private sector management.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the decision for welfare of workers and the industry, she told the workers, adding that “Workers should accept it peacefully and help the government to implement the decision.”

“The mills will be reopened through lease model/G2G/joint venture/PPP, where all terminated workers will be appointed on priority basis and new employments will be created,” the state minister said.

All arrears of 8,954 workers who retired since 2014 will be paid, she said, adding that all the overtime dues, provident fund payouts, and gratuities will be paid to those getting laid off no, numbering 24,886.

Around Tk 50 billion will be provided from the government budget over the matter, Sufian said.

Ministry secretary AKM Abdus Salam, additional secretary Rezaul Haque and workers’ leaders were also present at the meeting.