While speaking at a programme organised by Textiles and Jute Ministry at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on last Sunday, the Prime Minister declared to categorise jute and its products as agro-based items, so to qualify it to get all facilities like the country’s other agro-based items. We welcome PM’s enthusiasm to include the jute sector with facilities usually benefitted by other agro based products. The call could, in fact be, the first stage for the revival of the ‘golden fibre’.  Bangladesh currently ranks number one in the world in terms of its export, and also second in growing the fibre. However, its export earnings have not increased in line with expectations. In spite of many shortfalls, domestic demand of jute in Bangladesh has increased to 25 lakh bales  this year. Though over 135 products from the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) were put on display during the occasion, yet the JDPC has to do more than just display – promote, popularise and export diverse jute products in the international markets so to give a boost to the sector.
Though the government has taken steps to reopen a number of closed-down jute mills for revamping the country's jute sector, their regular and systematic operations must be ensured. If these mills can yield profits then it would be possible to resume operations of other closed mills too. Moreover, the jute employees will have to be guaranteed a well structured salary and wage. Rather positively, the PM has also touched over the payroll issue too, while promising to form a Wage Commission to increase the current wage scale for jute workers.
From a mechanical perspective, our jute mills will have to replace their old machineries and equipments in order, to remain competitive and export diversified jute products. Being 100 per cent bio-degradable, recyclable and environment friendly jute hasn’t lost its export potentials. In the western world of increasing organic product consumption it has booked its popularity. Keeping this in mind, we expect the concerned jute authorities to strategise their upcoming planning and programmes.
Lastly, recently jute cultivation and jute trade in Bangladesh both have been accused with higher incidence of child labour. It has been observed and recorded in the 2014 TVPRA List (List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labour) issued by the Bureau of International Labour Affairs. So the matter has to be taken seriously by bringing the entire sector under the compliance scanner.