By Md Abu Syed

DHAKA, April 25, 2026 (BSS) – 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, the process to lease out 20 mills was initiated. So far, 14 mills have been leased out, while six more are currently in the process. The leased out mills are producing about 120 metric tons of goods daily, most of which are being exported abroad.

Talking to BSS, BJMC General Manager Mamnur Rashid said efforts are underway to turn BJMC into an effective organization, and the institution has already overcome much of its financial crisis by increasing its own income.

Until December 01, 2024, BJMC employees had four months of unpaid salaries while there were no bonuses or insurance facilities, and dissatisfaction was widespread within the organization, he said adding steps were taken to ensure regular payment of salaries and bonuses to address this.

He emphasized that regular wages naturally reduce dissatisfaction among employees.

Rashid said approximately Taka 11.5 crore is required per month for salaries and allowances, and with electricity bills and other costs, the total monthly expenditure rises to about Taka 12 crore.

Officials concerned said previously, BJMC’s income was only about Taka one crore against this expenditure. In February last year, the government provided Taka 24 crore, 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 organization earned about Taka 5.5 crore—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 Taka 24 lakh to Taka 30 lakh.

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. The interest earned is being used to pay various employee allowances, including the ‘Baishakhi’ allowance for this year.

Many BJMC properties that were previously encroached upon have now been recovered. Additionally, provident fund (PF) and insurance facilities—previously unavailable in several mills—have now been introduced.

BJMC sources said out of about 1,600 acres of production land, the government has taken over 400 acres, including land in Gulshan and the Adamjee Jute Mill area in Narayanganj.

Production activities in all 25 jute mills under BJMC were shut down in 2020. Later, the process of leasing out 20 mills began. Of these, 14 have already been leased out, and nine currently operational mills are producing about 120 metric tons of goods daily, creating employment for about 9,500 people.