News Desk :
Workers’ leaders reportedly agreed to accept the government decision to close its state-owned jut mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and provide ‘golden handshake’ to around 25,000 workers.
CBA leaders sat in a meeting with State Minister for Labour and Employment Munnujan Sufian on Monday, a day after Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi made the announcement to close all the state-owned jute mills, according to Somoy (TV) English Desk.
However, no decision was taken at the meeting about when the golden handshake will be provided to workers.
At the meeting, the state minister urged the workers to accept the closure the jute mills and ‘golden handshake’ for workers peacefully.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the decision for welfare of workers and the industry, she told the workers. “Workers should accept it peacefully and help the government implement the decision.”
“The mills will be reopened through lease model/G2G/joint venture/PPP, where all terminated workers will be appointed on priority basis and new employments will be created,” Monnujan said.
All arrears of 8,954 workers who retired since 2014 will be paid, she said, adding that all the overtime dues, provident fund payouts and gratuities will be paid to those getting laid off.
Around Tk 5,000 crore will be provided from the government budget over the matter, Sufian said.
Labour and Employment Secretary AKM Abdus Salam and Additional Secretary Dr Rezaul Haque were also present at the meeting.
