The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Manpower on Tuesday asked the concerned ministries to pay outstanding wages to the jute mills workers immediately. The recommendation came at the second meeting of the body at the national parliament building. State Minister for Labour and Employment, Begum Monnujan Sufian, Shajahan Khan, Md. Kamrul Islam and Mohammad Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, were present at the meeting chaired by committee chairperson Md. Mujibul Haque.
At the meeting, a number of issues, including new pay-scale of state-owned jute mills, outstanding wages of jute mills and several demands of shipping workers, were discussed. The investigation committee on old Dhaka fire accident has submitted its report recently. The report was not according to criteria. The standing committee recommended a full investigation report within a short time.
There are three labor courts located in Dhaka. The committee has recommended shifting one of them to the labor-intensive industrial area of Gazipur district.
The committee has asked for fixation of workers' wages of state-owned jute mills within May 17, 2019. The wage slips will have to be distributed from 18 May, 2019.
At the meeting, the standing committee formed a sub-committee on worker welfare. For the sub-committee, Md Israfil Alam is convener, and Mohammad Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and Begum Shamsun Nahar are members. From the worker welfare fund, the government wants to provide assistance to workers working at institutions and no-institutions. The committee will have to submit its report within two months.
Textiles and Jute Minister, Golam Dastagir Gazi has recently said, "Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010" has been implemented hundred percent. Jute bags are compulsory for distribution of 19 products in the country. According to labor ministry, the country's local and international companies are providing dividends to Bangladesh Workers' Welfare Foundation Fund, which is helping to raise funds. Tk 2.5 billion has been deposited in the fund. From this fund, the workers are getting assistance including for accident, death, disease as well as education of their children.