Interviews
'20,000 jobs lost in jute industry'- Mr Yousuf, Chairman, BJSA
04 Feb '09
2 min read
The global economic crisis and the resultant recessionary trends are taking away jobs of the poor who earn their living as labourers and contract workers without any apparent benefits. The Bangladeshi jute industry which has been facing problems since the last few years of its own making and also due to government apathy has laid off around 20,000 contract workers in the last two months.
This figure was confirmed by the Chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA), Mr Sabbir Yousuf, whom fibre2fashion.com spoke to. Mr Yousuf said, “Due to over all recession in the world, export of jute has gone down. On an average, we export 3.50 metric tons (MT) per year of jute yarn. Main markets for jute are Turkey, Belgium, & Iran. Our product is semi-finished raw material mainly used in carpet Industries”.
He added by saying, “It is true that 20,000 workers have lost their job in last two months. But only temporarily workers have lost their job & not the permanent workers. As & when the demand for carpet & jute based product will increase from countries like Iran, Turkey etc, they all will be taken back. But it will take some time. We have already approached the Govt which is also trying to take positive steps.”
He further added by saying, “The Govt has been approached to provide financial help to face the crisis, which can help tide over the crisis and help in the overall working of the jute industry. Even spinning industries are facing problems. There are long term & short term plans on the Govt's agenda, but it is expected to take more than one year to streamline the situation”.
The last jute policy formulated by Govt expired last year and it has started formulating a new policy and a 10 year plan to revive the industry. The plan includes right from the first stage of providing quality seeds for jute cultivation till the finished product. The Govt. is also trying to increase supply of quality jute seed, because the sector needs 4000 to 5000 MT of jute seed per year whereas at present Govt is producing and supplying only 400 to 500 MT of seed.
This figure was confirmed by the Chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA), Mr Sabbir Yousuf, whom fibre2fashion.com spoke to. Mr Yousuf said, “Due to over all recession in the world, export of jute has gone down. On an average, we export 3.50 metric tons (MT) per year of jute yarn. Main markets for jute are Turkey, Belgium, & Iran. Our product is semi-finished raw material mainly used in carpet Industries”.
He added by saying, “It is true that 20,000 workers have lost their job in last two months. But only temporarily workers have lost their job & not the permanent workers. As & when the demand for carpet & jute based product will increase from countries like Iran, Turkey etc, they all will be taken back. But it will take some time. We have already approached the Govt which is also trying to take positive steps.”
He further added by saying, “The Govt has been approached to provide financial help to face the crisis, which can help tide over the crisis and help in the overall working of the jute industry. Even spinning industries are facing problems. There are long term & short term plans on the Govt's agenda, but it is expected to take more than one year to streamline the situation”.
The last jute policy formulated by Govt expired last year and it has started formulating a new policy and a 10 year plan to revive the industry. The plan includes right from the first stage of providing quality seeds for jute cultivation till the finished product. The Govt. is also trying to increase supply of quality jute seed, because the sector needs 4000 to 5000 MT of jute seed per year whereas at present Govt is producing and supplying only 400 to 500 MT of seed.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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