The government has decided to shut the operation of the ailing state-owned jute mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), sources said. It is also planning to allow the private sector to operate the mills provided that they have expertise in the jute sector business, they added. The latest decision came as the BJMC mills have incurred staggering losses over the years. Currently, twenty-two jute mills and three non-jute mills are in operation under the BJMC. To implement the decision, line ministries and law-enforcement agencies sat on Thursday to brainstorm the preparation related to the closure of problem-ridden mills, they added. Textiles and jute ministry convened the meeting to discuss the groundwork for the implementation of the government’s decision to shut activities of the mills. Textiles and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi chaired the meeting where home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and state minister for labour Monnujan Sufian were present as chief and special guests. Also present at the meeting were secretaries from three line ministries and high officials from law-enforcement agencies. When asked, a top official of the ministry said the government’s closure decision is based on some situations in the country. He said the media will be informed of the details of the preparations shortly. After the meeting, Mr Gazi said: “The state-owned jute mills have incurred a huge amount of losses and the government doesn’t have the ability to pay the amount.” As many as 95-per cent jute mills are being operated under the private sector while only 5.0 per cent is under the government, he added. Because of such huge loses, the minister said, the management of those units will turn to the private sector to stop incurring losses. Jute mills will be operated under the public-private partnership, he mentioned. About mill workers, Mr Gazi said as the operatives are skilled, they would easily get jobs. There would be absorption and they would be paid all their dues. “Although the government earlier decided to pay the workers at a time, the payment would be made part by part due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.” The first instalment would be made by the first week of September, Mr Gazi stated.
