The jute industry, once a cornerstone of the national economy, is now facing significant challenges.
Kolkata : The Federal Chatkal Mazdoor Union demanded immediate intervention of the Center to address the problems of the jute industry, which is one of the most important in the national economy, and to resolve the plight of jute workers and growers in Bengal. Pranesh Biswas, general secretary, on behalf of the AITUC affiliated trade union, in a letter to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh highlighted the serious problems plaguing the jute industry, a vital sector for the national economy, and called for immediate intervention to resolve the plight of jute workers and farmers in Bengal.
The jute industry, once a cornerstone of the national economy, is now facing significant challenges. Biswas's letter outlines several critical concerns, primarily attributing the industry's current state to profit-driven motives and management malpractices. He asserts that the industry's 'sickness' stems from reduced working days, underutilized capacity, and widespread non-compliance with laws and agreements, leading to financial and social distress among workers.
Biswas accuses mill owners of deliberately reducing working days, shifts, and sealing looms under false pretenses, leading to massive unemployment. Contract laborers are exploited with low wages and no benefits, while statutory dues like Provident Fund and Gratuity remain unpaid, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs or been denied rightful payments due to arbitrary lockouts and suspensions. Retired workers are forced into 'bonded labor' conditions. Biswas highlights that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, workers did not receive promised payments, worsening their financial hardship. The letter criticizes the government's calculation of the Dearness Allowance, which has inexplicably decreased, despite rising prices of essential commodities. Biswas demands a thorough investigation into this anomaly.
The union demands an increase in the Provident Fund contribution from 10% to 12%, emphasizing the need for better future security for workers. Mismanagement of funds and discontinued benefits like refundable loans exacerbate workers' vulnerabilities. The management's tactics to reduce raw jute prices harm farmers, who are deprived of profitable rates. The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is not operating at full capacity, leading to speculative practices that disadvantage growers. Biswas seeks transparency in government purchases of jute products, questioning whether current prices reflect fair wages and benefits for workers. He calls for a National Jute Policy to bring all stakeholders together and ensure fair practices. On other hand, The closure of the National Jute Manufacturers Corporation (NJMC) and subsequent handover of mills to private owners for real-estate development threatens the industry's future. Biswas urges the government to ensure that industrial land remains dedicated to the jute industry.
Demands and Recommendations:
Biswas concludes the letter with several urgent demands to revitalize the jute industry:
Declare lockouts and work suspensions illegal, ensuring full utilization of production capacity.
Abolish contract labor, regularize workers, and adhere to tripartite agreements.
Recover outstanding Provident Fund and Gratuity dues from mill owners.
Repeal penal reprieves on PF arrears and refund deducted Dearness Allowance.
Ensure JCI purchases raw jute directly from growers at profitable rates.
Disclose government purchasing policies and ensure transparency.
Prevent industrial land from being used for real-estate purposes.
The union hopes that Shri Giriraj Singh will consider these proposals and adopt policies to keep the jute industry vibrant, safeguarding the interests of workers, growers, and the national economy.
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Kolkata : The Federal Chatkal Mazdoor Union demanded immediate intervention of the Center to address the problems of the jute industry, which is one of the most important in the national economy, and to resolve the plight of jute workers and growers in Bengal. Pranesh Biswas, general secretary, on behalf of the AITUC affiliated trade union, in a letter to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh highlighted the serious problems plaguing the jute industry, a vital sector for the national economy, and called for immediate intervention to resolve the plight of jute workers and farmers in Bengal.
The jute industry, once a cornerstone of the national economy, is now facing significant challenges. Biswas's letter outlines several critical concerns, primarily attributing the industry's current state to profit-driven motives and management malpractices. He asserts that the industry's 'sickness' stems from reduced working days, underutilized capacity, and widespread non-compliance with laws and agreements, leading to financial and social distress among workers.
Biswas accuses mill owners of deliberately reducing working days, shifts, and sealing looms under false pretenses, leading to massive unemployment. Contract laborers are exploited with low wages and no benefits, while statutory dues like Provident Fund and Gratuity remain unpaid, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs or been denied rightful payments due to arbitrary lockouts and suspensions. Retired workers are forced into 'bonded labor' conditions. Biswas highlights that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, workers did not receive promised payments, worsening their financial hardship. The letter criticizes the government's calculation of the Dearness Allowance, which has inexplicably decreased, despite rising prices of essential commodities. Biswas demands a thorough investigation into this anomaly.
The union demands an increase in the Provident Fund contribution from 10% to 12%, emphasizing the need for better future security for workers. Mismanagement of funds and discontinued benefits like refundable loans exacerbate workers' vulnerabilities. The management's tactics to reduce raw jute prices harm farmers, who are deprived of profitable rates. The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is not operating at full capacity, leading to speculative practices that disadvantage growers. Biswas seeks transparency in government purchases of jute products, questioning whether current prices reflect fair wages and benefits for workers. He calls for a National Jute Policy to bring all stakeholders together and ensure fair practices. On other hand, The closure of the National Jute Manufacturers Corporation (NJMC) and subsequent handover of mills to private owners for real-estate development threatens the industry's future. Biswas urges the government to ensure that industrial land remains dedicated to the jute industry.
Demands and Recommendations:
Biswas concludes the letter with several urgent demands to revitalize the jute industry:
Declare lockouts and work suspensions illegal, ensuring full utilization of production capacity.
Abolish contract labor, regularize workers, and adhere to tripartite agreements.
Recover outstanding Provident Fund and Gratuity dues from mill owners.
Repeal penal reprieves on PF arrears and refund deducted Dearness Allowance.
Ensure JCI purchases raw jute directly from growers at profitable rates.
Disclose government purchasing policies and ensure transparency.
Prevent industrial land from being used for real-estate purposes.
The union hopes that Shri Giriraj Singh will consider these proposals and adopt policies to keep the jute industry vibrant, safeguarding the interests of workers, growers, and the national economy.
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