The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

One of the country's major export earner jute is currently facing a challenging situation due to lack of ships at Mongla port, export goods valued approximately US $14.6 million is lying within the mills.

On the other hand the misery of the jute sector deepens with the workers demonstrating for arrears and other demands in front of the jute mills. According to the exporters, the foreign buyers may soon lose interest if the demands are not met on time.

From the last three months they are unable to export 35,000 meters of jute which has created tension and insecurity among the businessmen nationwide.

The exporters are not interested in exporting their raw product through any other port as the transportation cost increases. Due to which their profit margin reduces. They are waiting for the ships to return which are at various parts of the world.

Meanwhile, around 4,000 workers of six jute mills gathered in front of Jessore Jute Industries (JJI) and Carpeting Jute Mills at Rajghat in Abhoynagar upazila to agitate against the Government on Thursday.

The labourers wanted payment of arrears and improvement in the present condition of mills. Some of them also declared self immolation if demands are not met.

Police interfered and asked the workers to postpone the blockade programme and not to violate emergency rules, till higher authorities of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) arrive at Khulna to solve the crisis.

Bangladesh is the world's largest grower of quality Jute. But the mills are now virtually on the verge of collapse as the caretaker Government has not allocated any fund in the recently-announced national budget for running them properly, which led to the present chaos.