Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, MP, said the government has decided to pay all the dues of the workers for the reform and modernisation of the state-owned jute mills run by BJMC. Hon'ble Prime Minister has taken the responsibility of jute mill workers, there is no reason for anyone to worry.
He was speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon on the decision to stop production and pay one-time dues to workers to modernise state-owned jute mills run by Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and make it more capable at the national and international levels.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Mannujan Sufian, MP, Textile and Jute Secretary Lokman Hossain Mia, Additional Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam, NDC, various labour leaders and others were present on the occasion.
Citing the Prime Minister's decision, the Textile and Jute Minister further said that according to the Wages Commission-2015, the June / 2020 wages of the jute mill workers will be paid on their bank accounts next week. The 60-day wages for the notice period i.e. July-August wages will also be paid.
The Minister said that all arrears due to retired workers (8,954 persons) from 2014, arrears of wages due to currently employed workers (24,886 persons), PF deposit of workers, gratuity along with termination of benefits at the rate of maximum 27% of gratuity should be paid together.
About Tk 5,000 crore will be provided from the government budget for this. After the liquidation, the mills will be run under PPP / JVG / G2G / Lease model under government control. In the new model, the current workers who have been laid off will get job opportunities on priority basis. At the same time, these will create new employment. All workers must be rehabilitated.
The minister said he also requested the BJMC to immediately inform the bank account number of the retired workers to pay their dues.