Around 20,000 jobs are expected to be created by December in mills leased out by the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), with further employment likely as more facilities to resume operation soon, officials said.
Out of BJMC's 25 jute mills, 14 mills have so far been leased out, while six more are currently in the process. The leased mills are producing about 120 metric tonnes of goods daily, most of which are being exported abroad, reports BSS.
Talking to BSS, BJMC General Manager Mamnur Rashid said efforts are underway to turn BJMC into an effective organisation, and the institution has already overcome much of its financial crisis by increasing its own income.
Until December 1, 2024, BJMC employees had four months of unpaid salaries while there were no bonuses or insurance facilities, and dissatisfaction was widespread within the organisation, he said, adding steps were taken to ensure regular payment of salaries and bonuses to address this.
He emphasised that regular wages naturally reduce dissatisfaction among employees.
Rashid said approximately Tk 115 million is required per month for salaries and allowances, and with electricity bills and other costs, the total monthly expenditure rises to about Tk 120 million.
Officials concerned said previously, BJMC's income was only about Tk 10 million against this expenditure. In February last year, the government provided Tk 240 million, which was used to pay two months' salaries.
However, relying solely on government support is not sustainable, so BJMC took initiatives to increase its own revenue.
They reported that in the current month, the organisation earned about Tk 55 million -about half of its monthly expenses-through various income-generating activities.
Mamnur Rashid said around 300 shops have been constructed on BJMC-owned land, of which 250 have already been rented out, and the remaining 50 are being prepared while more shops are also in the pipeline. He said income from Karim Chamber in the capital and Sattar Chamber in Chattogram has been increased from a total of Tk 2.4 million to Tk 3.0 million.
He mentioned BJMC owns a petrol pump at Amin Jute Mill in Chattogram, which was previously operated through lease. BJMC has now taken steps to operate it directly.
According to BJMC sources, large amounts of scrap materials were lying unused in its mills. These have been sold, and the proceeds have been deposited as fixed deposits in banks.
