The New Nation - Internet Edition

ECONOMIC REPORTER

National Coordination Committee for Development of Jute and Jute Economy congratulates the government for not moving ahead with the proposal of leasing out of the closed public sector jute mills to the private sector.

The Committee calls on the government to be cautious in considering any proposal of leasing out the closed down public sector mills to private sector.

The Committee notes that the proposal of leasing the closed public sector jute mills indicates that these mills are still having economic/commercial viabilities.

At the same time, the Committee observes that there is a need of disclosure of information regarding any attempt of framing of any proposition on any form of such leasing.

The Committee is concerned that Jute being a national interest and that a large number of workers have already lost their jobs in the process of closure of public sector jute mills - the government should act now with prudence to ensure both the commercial interests of the nation and to meet its constitutional the obligations towards the livelihood security of the workers. In this regard, the government should devise policies without any prejudice'.

The Committee reiterates. its position that the government should explore the option of running the jute sector viably and transparently under its own management and ownership before any option of lease is further explored.

From its concerns toward both livelihood security and sustainability of jute industry in Bangladesh, the National Coordination Committee for Development of Jute and Jute Economy also calls on the government to review and discontinue the practice and policy of golden handshake.

The Committee finds that the process of golden handshake is leading to an irreplaceable gap in terms of skills and knowledge in Bangladesh jute sector.

This does not only reduce present production capacities of Bangladesh jute sector but also restricts the potentiality of the future growth of the sector.

The Committee calls upon the government not to pursue further privatisation as well as any future initiative of golden handshake as these measures are self defeating for Bangladesh Jute.

It should be mentioned that the National Coordination Committee for Development of Jute and Jute Economy has been working since 25 June 2007 as the national forum to ensure coordination and synergy among all the committees, commissions and initiatives regarding jute sector. As per the decision of the national workshop on Jute and Jute Economy, Dr. Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, President of Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad is steering the committee as its Convener.

The committee includes the ex-Advisor Sultana Kamal, leading jute expert Khaled Rab, eminent human rights activist Hamida Hossain, labour and women rights activist Shirin Akhter, economist Professor M. M. Akash, labor and trade union activist Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan, Shahidullah Chowdhury, Shafiuddin Ahmed and Syed Sultan Uddin Ahamad, development activist Adv. Firoz Ahmed, Asgar Ali Sabri as its Members and AKM Masud Ali as its Member Secretary.