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Download PDF Urging a more practical jute policy, speakers at a roundtable yesterday came down heavily on the government for its jute sector policy, terming it the “worst-ever oppressor” of jute mill workers.
They urged the government to adopt a labour-friendly and independent jute policy in order to revive the jute sector and protect labourers. They demanded that the government formulate a more practical jute policy ignoring donors’ suggestions.
The roundtable discussion on “Formulation of a practical jute policy”, decided to form an alliance between all concerned with the jute sector to’protect the sector as well as to protect interest of the workers of the sector.
Thousands of workers and their families across the country have been passing hard days but the caretaker government is not paying any attention to their problems, they said.
“Like its predecessors, this government is also not doing anything to develop the sector,” jute sector labour leader Shahidullah Chowdhury said at the roundtable organised by citizens platform Nagorik Sanghati at the Jatiya Press Club auditorium in the capital.
The speakers at the roundtable said the plan to procure jute in the current season is impractical now as the season is close to its end but the fund for procurement of jute is yet to be released.
Bangladesh Economic Association President Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad moderated the roundtable and economist Anu Mohammad presented the keynote paper.
Anu Mohammad urged the government to adopt a labour-friendly and independent jute policy in order to revive the jute sector and protect labourers. He said the jute sector has been destroyed during the last three decades as part of a conspiracy unleashed through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s reforms suggestions.
The multilateral donors have become successful in implementing their blueprint to destroy the jute sector in the country in collaboration with local manageable political leaders, bureaucrats and consultants.
Criticising the donors he said it is clear to all that the donors have an intention to make the country “industrially bankrupt” as they suggested closing jute industries in Bangladesh while recommending setting up of new jute industries for the Indian government.
He said the government should take immediate steps to protect the jute sector by introducing a practical jute policy ignoring donors’ suggestions.
Economist MM Akash, former secretary Salauddin Ahmed spoke among others.
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