State Neglecting Jute Workers Despite July Uprising Sacrifices, Claims Restoration Board  

The 'Jute Mill and Industrial Zone Restoration Board' has accused the state of showing indifference toward paying worker dues and protecting the industry, despite the massive sacrifices made by jute mill workers during the July uprising. Leaders of the board made these remarks at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Sunday (April 12).

At the conference, they demanded the immediate reopening of all 25 state-owned jute mills and the cancellation of the lease system. Leaders alleged that workers in private jute mills are currently forced to live in inhumane conditions on a meagre wage of only Tk 260, which is a clear violation of the National Wage Commission.

The speakers further alleged that the current elected government has taken no effective steps to revive the jute mills that were illegally closed by the fallen autocratic Hasina government on the pretext of the pandemic. Even after the significant blood-debt of the workers during the July uprising, the state continues to show apathy regarding the payment of their dues and industrial security.

Board leaders noted that although the July uprising was stained with the blood of 284 workers, neither the interim government nor the present elected government has addressed their fundamental demands. Instead, the authorities have kept the illegal gazette notification issued by the Hasina regime in force, leaving the factories under lock and key to this day.

Convener of the board, Abdul Khalek, alleged that valuable machinery from the mills—which the previous government failed to loot—is now being sold off as scrap at rock-bottom prices. He claimed that politically influential quarters and relevant authorities were complicit in this looting process. “The 25 state-owned jute mills are milestones of post-British industrial history. Destroying them is a move to cripple the national economy,” he added.

The speakers highlighted a grave injustice: while the factories have remained non-productive for five years, workers are receiving no salary despite not being laid off. In contrast, officials continue to draw regular salaries and enjoy full benefits, with new appointments and transfers still ongoing. “If officials can receive salaries while the mills are closed, stopping the workers’ wages is completely unjust and inhumane,” they said. They specifically pointed out serious irregularities in settling the dues for workers at Khalishpur, Daulatpur, Jatiya, KFD, and RR Jute Mills.

Criticizing former Jute Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the board stated that he disregarded 'conflict of interest' while in office and brought a large portion of government jute mills under his own business entities. They demanded that he, along with the former BJMC chairman and the former Jute Secretary, be immediately brought to justice on corruption charges.

Leaders expressed strong resentment that the newly elected government has tactfully omitted the term “jute mill” from its declared 31-point reform agenda. They viewed this as a breach of trust with millions of jute growers and over a hundred thousand worker families.

Seven-Point Demands:

The key demands placed at the press conference include:

Canceling Hasina’s gazette notification and the lease system.

Reopening the mills under joint worker-management ownership.

Stopping the smuggling of machinery parts and trying corrupt officials.

Immediate payment of all outstanding salaries for 26 jute mills.

Compensation for the families of martyred workers.

Full implementation of the Mandatory Use of Jute Packaging Act, 2010.

The speakers issued a stern warning: if the government led by Tarique Rahman continues the lease system without consulting the workers, they will launch a nationwide mass movement.

The press conference was attended by Member Secretary Nur Mohammad Sheikh, member Alamgir Hossain, and Advisory Council member Makin Sarkar, among others.