ZCZC
BSS-54
JUTE-MILLS-MODERNIZATION
Jute minister for ‘golden handshake’ for jute workers to cope with losses
DHAKA, June 28, 2020 (BSS) – With staggering losses incurred over the years in state-owned jutes mills of BJMC, the government has decided to go for a golden handshake, a voluntary retirement scheme, for around 25,000 jute workers to cope with losses and modernize those mills in congruity with local and international demands.
“Due to mounting losses of BJMC, the (state-owned jute) mills will be modernized in line with the native and global demands after a golden handshake process of the workers,” Textiles and Jute Golam Dastagir Gazi today told an online media briefing on review of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC)’s activities.
Underscoring the need for modernization of the BJMC mills, he said the workability of these mills which run with 60-70 years old machineries has reduced to almost zero with the course of time while BJMC’s old management structure is not suitable for modern technology-based production system, said an official release here.
The minister said all dues of retired workers (8954) since 2014, all due salaries of current workers (24,886), provident fund, gratuity and at maximum 27 percent rate of gratuity will be paid cent percent all together as retirement facilities and around Taka 5,000 crore will be provided from the government budget to this end.
After the voluntary retirement, initiatives will be taken to run the mills in PPP or joint venture or G to G or lease model under the control of the government, he said.
Gazi said the current workers, who will retire voluntarily, will get priority of jobs in the mills to be modernized and reopened in the new model and new employment opportunities will also be created in those mills.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah and Additional Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam were present during the briefing.
BSS/MKD/KU/2057 HRS