IN July 2020, the Khulna region of Bangladesh was struck by a devastating blow as nine jute mills, including the country’s second-largest, abruptly shut down operations.
This move left over 30,000 workers jobless overnight, plunging them into a dark and uncertain future. Families, like that of a 47-year-old shift worker with 16 years of service, found themselves grappling with financial instability as their main source of income vanished.
Three years have passed since the closure, and the situation for these workers has only worsened.
Their stories are not isolated incidents; they reflect the harsh reality faced by thousands who now struggle to make ends meet, resorting to menial jobs for meagre earnings.
The haunting silence of the deserted mill compounds in Daulatpur and Khalishpur serves as a stark reminder of broken promises and shattered dreams.
Once vibrant hubs of industry, these compounds now stand as monuments to neglect, with rusted looms and dilapidated buildings bearing witness to the neglect of the workers’ plight.
Despite assurances from the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) that the mills will soon resume operations under private stakeholders, progress has been agonisingly slow. While a few mills have begun limited-scale production under leasing agreements, the majority remain dormant, leaving the vast majority of former workers without employment.
The government’s decision to lease the mills to the private sector was intended to revitalise the industry and create new opportunities.
However, the prolonged delays and legal complications have only served to exacerbate the workers’ suffering. It is unacceptable that in a country where jute products are highly valued, state-run mills are left to decay while private enterprises thrive.
The National Jute Day-2024 was observed yesterday throughout the country with a view to making jute goods popular among the people. This year’s theme of the day is ‘Bangabandhu er Sonar Desh, Smart Pat Shilper Bangaldesh’.
The government must prioritise the reopening of all mills and ensure job security and fair wages for the workers. As concerned citizens, we cannot stand idly by while our fellow countrymen suffer. We must raise our voices and demand action from the authorities.
The time for promises and excuses is over; it is time for concrete steps to be taken to alleviate the suffering of Khulna’s jute mill workers. Let us stand in solidarity with them and fight for their rights and dignity. The future of our jute industry and the livelihoods of thousands depend on it.
