Tue 24 Jul 2007
THE man was weeping and asking the simplest of question.
“What will I do now? What will happen to my family? To my children?
How come those who decide to close [jute mills] always make it and those who get sacked never make it. How come the rich always decide what happens to the poor?
How come we are relieved that a loss making unit is closed without understanding an iota of what that means?
WE were sitting in a school in Adamjee. The young girl who sat opposite me was smart and surprisingly confident for a 14-year old.
” I want to give you a gift?’
“What gift? I don’t want a gift? Please.”
“Don’t worry Bhaiya. You are a bhadrolok and I know that. What can I give you? I will give you a song to remember.”
” That gift will be a pleasure. Sing.”
She held me in a steely gaze and sang.
“Amar sonar bangla, ami tomai bhalobashi.”
She wept as she sang.
Why that song of all the songs?
– From the “epitaph for Adamjee” by Afsan Chowdhury
Four years later, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal has again pointed to us where we should be pointing our attention to — to the unfolding tragedies of Khalishpur (thanks robot for pointing this out)
Please read the whole article here
Is this the price of efficiency? 14,000 workers are staring at the barrel with their families. Could this have been phased slowly by ensuring alternative arrangements? When the blood sucking Biman corporation is allocated 300 million dollars to pay its employees for retirement, why nothing is being done for the workers of Jute Mills? Will the prescribers from World Bank please answer?
Take a look at the pictures taken by Munem Wasif here
Lastly, can any one of the readers care to translate this piece for publication in Daily Star which is read by the honchos of World Bank and IMF?
Previous stories covered on this in this blog.
Afsan Chowdhury on Adamjee Closure
July 24th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
What makes you think that the rui-katlas of WB haven’t read the article in translation? Or that they are at least not aware of the on-ground realities?
What makes this all the more tragic, is their awareness of the plight of the people.
Btw, since here on Drishtipat, the philosophy is to help the people, how about organizing an effort to rehabilitate the former ’sromiks’ of the mills? How about you start a project by which you try to find then alternate gainful employment?
DP has so many expats who i’m sure are dying to invest in their homeland to enact their ‘desh-prem.’ how about they do so find jobs for these helpless people?
Moreover, everyone on this forum can atleast help by using their connections in other industries to find jobs for these people.
DP could also perhaps try to do some on-ground work to help the families of these workers. And by that I DO NOT mean doling out money, food or clothes.
Just my two cents..
July 25th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Fariha apa,
I understand your anger at the situation. But taking it out on a bunch of DP readers, not all of whom are surely expatriates, is really not the answer. If expatriates start investing in our country ONLY because of “desh prem” without making risk calculations, then we’ll be the most unique and foolish group of people in the world. Is this sort of “put your money where your mouth is” rhetoric really justified, when aimed at a group of people whose individual incomes you have no idea about, and whose collective remittances far outdo donor aid at this point?
Also, how do we have “connections in other industries” in Bangladesh when we’re sitting out here? It’s people back home who have more, better connections who should be doing these things.
If not “doling” out money, food or clothes, what else can DP - an expatriate organization - do at this point? I’d love to hear your ideas, and I’d love to hear about what local people and organizations - government and non-govt. - are doing for these people.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Dear
i think the decision is correct to off four jute mills.we mightnot know that those jute mills were more number of employees then that of mills were authorise.
which is a fun.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:50 am
As an individual who had direct experience with running a small scale industry, I can say that giving responsibility of running an industry to some state run body like BJMC is a sure recipe for disaster. This mess was created when businesses, banks and industries were nationalized in 1972. Its a miracle that govt. is still running industries, all of them will have to be shutdown or sold, its only a matter of time. The machineries are old, the employees are mostly retirement age and past their prime, it sounds harsh but no private entrepreneur, Bangladeshi or foreign, will touch these with a ten feet pole. It will be easier to setup new ones than trying to revive these units. This is not unique to Bangladesh, you can travel all over CIS countries and find formerly govt. run shuttered industries everywhere.
With all due respect to our Father of Nation, two of his decisions I disliked most are:
- Nationalization
- closing down English medium schools
The effect of first one was that it enabled govt. bureaucrats to loot and eventually destroy these industry’s. Politicians would use the workers and unions for political purposes. Today the govt. (read the people of the country) continues to bear the expense of the loss making entities that are not yet closed down or privatized.
The effect of the second decision was that the standard of English education in Bangladesh went down compared to neighbor countries like India or Pakistan. Only now the effect is getting reversed with private effort, but the damage has already been done. Due to poor English standard, the IT, call center and other English dependent industries are flourishing much more rapidly in India or Pakistan, but not doing so well in Bangladesh.
The destruction of our industrial base and English education base, both directly or indirectly benefited India, as very often we compete in the same market space to sell our products and services.
Business entities, whether its a bank or a manufacturing unit exist to make profit for the share holders, if there is no hope of making profit in the future then at some point the business must be shut down. If it was owned by private owners, effort would have been made to make it profitable and if there was no hope, wise businessmen would shut them down before loosing any significant money. If it was owned by you, you would do the same. Sometimes people are emotional and do not want to accept reality, but it makes them bankrupt very quickly, I have seen it happen.
If we had a sufficiently growing economy like China or India, the employees who lost their jobs, could easily be absorbed in other sectors.
Lets say Bangladesh, as a nation state is like a large business enterprise, it has certain amount of land, productive work force, raw materials etc. It produces and consumes certain items and exports others, in the process it needs to import many items.
The most critical job for its leaders (management team) would be:
- make the internal food production, such as agri-business more efficient, so internal land and water resources are optimally utilized
- target strategic sectors where Bangladesh has natural advantage and then apply all its strength together with private entrepreneurs to capture market share
- improve the quality of our manpower with improved education and nutrition (adulterated toxic chemical tainted cooking oil is a major factor damaging liver of most people) and export as much man-power as possible to as many countries as possible to increase remittance and decrease unemployment at home
- to create a politically stable and business friendly economy to attract FDI
I have to give my Salam and salute to the valiant entrepreneurs and skilled workers/managers of the RMG sector, who despite difficult international competition and obstruction by everyone within the country (banks, bureaucrats, politicians everyone, I know this personally) were able to survive and still continue to do well. It is really a miracle and a testament to the spirit of Bangladeshi people who are producing quality product and keeping market share, despite stiff competition from China, India and the entire globe.
Similarly another Salam and salute to all 5-8 million (I don’t know the exact number) expat and migrant workers, who are keeping Bangladesh alive with their remittance money
Competing in the global market place and selling something is a difficult job and one needs every ounce of support from every sector of the population, as people’s fate and the country’s fate is intimately tied with this effort. It cannot happen with self-serving and selfish bureaucrats, uncooperative banks and clue-less politicians whose sole interest is looting or how to stay in power to continue to loot or engage in anarchy to get to power.
It is an irony that we live in an ever increasing competitive global market place and we remain completely clue less about how it affects us. These things need to be taught from primary school and secondary school so people can make the connections in their mind to see the big picture and contribute in our national effort to make us globally competitive in many different sectors. We need to increase more public awareness through education and propaganda, may be the thousands of NGO’s, large and small can help in this effort.
Lastly and most importantly, as many of the bloggers here are from New York and in the investment banking business, I am sure it is well known to many how much free capital is floating around in the globe. If there are business opportunities where return on investment is secure, people (NRB’s or foreigners) put their money, time and resources in these places, just as it has happened in China and other East Asian economies and is starting to happen in India. But the investors need to feel secure that the place is business friendly, there is no surprises like hartal and other disruptions and profits can be repatriated without any problems. Mahathir Muhammad did a splendid job of doing all of the above in Malaysia, and now he is utilizing labor from other countries and it is our good fortune that so many of our countrymen could find work there. We should be grateful to this great man.
In short, we need far-sighted leaders like Mahathir Muhammad and Lee Kwan Yu, and I know they were both dictators and there will be a lot of people getting ready to flame me for this remark. I am not suggesting we leave democracy and go for dictatorship, it really does not matter if the leaders are in a democratic or dictatorial system, in the end, it really depends on whether they have the vision and the skill to make it happen. I am sad to say that I see no such leaders in our current set of political leaders (not even one), even Prof. Yunus does not qualify, as he is much too naive. His only field of expertise is micro-credit and some associated industries. Some RMG entrepreneurs with good management track record may qualify as such leaders as they are survivors in the global market place.
It is because of patriotic leaders that countries like Korea, Vietnam, China, Malaysia could show a miracle. India’s case is a bit different, it is large and stable and though it bungled about for decades and in the process developed some domestic large Chaebol or Jaibatsu type business houses (Tata, Birla, Reliant, Ranbaxy etc.), eventually it opened up, when it was ready to compete in the global market place. For a smaller relatively unstable country like ours, our only hope is some miracle leaders, who can lead from within a democratic system such as ours and still be effective.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:31 am
First of all I hope that the concerned Ministry will revise their decision/policy and or would arrange due compensation as per labour wages policy. It is a pity that right after independence the Jute sector-”THE GOLDEN FIBRE” has been throughly neglected although that comprised the maximum earnings during the former East Pakistan days. In fact there was lot of discussion as to how money earned from Jute would benefit our newly independent country- consequently very surprised to note that this received less importance in comparison to setting up other Industries.Very difficult to understand reasons behind this.
The Jute Mill workers are specialized in this sector and dont now if the same expertise would be useful or they need extra training to adopt to other sectors or alternatively if they receive good compensation( I am sure atleast their due wages till date of termination will be paid)then the workers having affinity village sector can go home and start agricultural work- for survival.
The psychological disturbances will be great for both worker n family but gradually they have to overcome that-poor are hardy people.
It would be wise if the journalists and Civil society take up this project to raise awareness amongs the administration to supervise this closure in accordance with the Labour Laws of the Country. 0thers can follow up on those articles by supporting the opinions in letters to the Editor column and writing directly to the CA n his Advisers.
The Politicans cannot protest due to Emergency but definitely can write and help to create an opinion to revise the decision.
Lets hope for the best.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Fariha,
We can always do fundraising abroad but the logisitics of how the fund will be used has to be worked out in Bangladesh. That’s the key challenge — who will take the responsibility of coming up with a plan and execution at ground zero? Any pointers on if this can be worked out?
Also, more than half of the readers of this blog are from desh. So this is not at all an expat oriented blog. It is a conversation of RB and NRB Bangladeshis.
July 25th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Khilji,
You have really revived some true facts that lot of us not having any clue about.Excellent points.
We have hope. I admire your latter points and I assure you we do have leaders, they just have to come out. They have became followers.So they need to be shaken up well before they would be sharper again to start.The country of 150 million people and no leaders around, I don’t buy that. Don’t we have the same Bangladeshi blood, how come than we are running so many important roles in the world wide organization as a whole and nothing coming in for Bangladesh. We might have to find them. The leaders who you are talking about are already been borned and living on this earth. Its time to find them and bring them to the limelight. We will see the difference. I have hope and I believe in myself that change is coming and it be very soon.
thanks
Kawser Jamal
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
July 25th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
#2 and #6
That was an honest suggestion.I was not merely venting. I was not only refering to the expat DP members or the participants of this forum residing abroad.
When I said contact, I meant that you must know at least one person who would be willing to hire at least one of these jobless workers as a ‘peon’ at least!! Right? Regardless of where you reside..
I think first what needs to be figured out at DP is whether it’s an ‘expat’ organization as suggested in #2 or an organization for Bangladeshis everywhere. I’m sure you have active members here!
If there is an effort to help these ppl, it should not be limited to merely fundraising. How about you organize a group like PAB (or dare I say float this idea to PAB) to take proactive action to help these people. Helping them find jobs is far more difficult task than just raising a fund for them. YOu’ll need volunteers who will get in touch with different organizations that will help find jobs for these people.
I know it’s a difficult, but it’s surely not impossible. How about you start a thread on this blog asking people how they can help with this.
I’m sure there is at least one DP member in Dhaka who could organize the first meeting of volunteers and then everyone can try to work together to formulate plan and organize a visit to the affected people.
There are already organizations in the country that help help unerprivileged ppl seek alternate employment. I know that FHI with JOBS is helping sex-workers and ex-drug addicts find employment. I am sure if we asked the readers we would come to know of more of such organizations.
I don’t think you need you need just one person who take on the whole responsibility. What DP can do is help organize this team. Can DP take on this task? That’s all I ask. Helping someone stand on their feet is surelya deed a far more humanitarian than just ensuring they have food to eat for sometime!
July 25th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Asif S. and everyone else who wants to do something about helping these victims:
From an e-mail from Professor Zafar Iqbal to some one here in Columbus, Ohio, it appears Zafar Bhai has already set up a bank account number to help the victims. Zafar Bhai’s e-mail is mzi@sust.edu and we can get his account number and get started with a fundraising drive to help out the unfortunate victims.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Fariha apa,
I mis-spoke when I said DP was an “expatriate organization”, conflating two of your sentences in my mind. I was responding to these parts of your statement:
“DP has so many expats who i’m sure are dying to invest in their homeland to enact their ‘desh-prem.’ how about they do so find jobs for these helpless people?”
and “DP could also perhaps try to do some on-ground work to help the families of these workers. And by that I DO NOT mean doling out money, food or clothes.”
I doubt whether a campaign based on individual connections with industries/firms can make up for unemployment of this scale. A much broader campaign is needed for generating employment. For instance, governments could subsidise anyone who hires them. NGOs can offer re-training etc. Industrial houses could actually *gasp* invest in jute mills with government help in procuring technology and know-how. I leave the feasibility of such options to economists among us.
To answer your question, I don’t personally know a single person who’s looking for a peon right now :). I could be the major exception.
Open question to anyone: other than the food-provision efforts, is there anyone else working/looking to work with the unemployed workers and their families?
July 25th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Our main problem is that we think that every problem is ‘too big’ or ‘too grave’ for us to resolve. Hence we seek the help of bigger organizations or look up to the govt, failing to realize our own, albeit modest ablity to help.
#10
Of course the govt has to do its part. But my question is, how are outraged ppl like you and me going to help?
From #9..I dare say we could approach Prof.Zafar Iqbal and may be he would have a more concrete idea. But again, I would say that helping feel find a job is a better and more lasting form of help then just giving him some money to feed his family for a week.
“I doubt whether a campaign based on individual connections with industries/firms can make up for unemployment of this scale. A much broader campaign is needed for generating employment.”
Every little little bit helps, right? I personally happen to know of two who need ‘peons’. =) So that is two jobs, each should pay at least 3 thousand right? So yearly, they will make 3*2*12=72 thousand? And you would be helping to feed two families of let’s say 8 people? Is that not good enough? This may be an overly-simplistic model, but multiply this by many folds, and see how much difference we all can make!!
Forgive me, I am not world-weary yet. It’s hard to be at my age I hear. I can’t help but hope that each of us can do something to help. May be not tackle the whole problem, but help save some lives, right? Beats sitting at PC and writing rhetoric.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Re 10:
I think, given the gravity of the situation and near starvation condition, we need both short-term humanitarian as well as long term mitigation. Perhaps, Zafar Bhai may already have some ideas. I will inquire.
I like the spirit to do something. Too often, we get discouraged looking at the size of the problem.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:06 am
#11, I’d be the happiest person in the world when you get them these jobs. Every little bit does make a difference, no denying. I hope you will let us know. I for one would love to publicise your efforts via PC rhetoric:).
Saleh bhai, please do inquire and let us know how we can be of help.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:16 am
I think there is a need for a short term solution. If there is an account already setup (specially when Dr Zafar Iqbal is involved) we can contact other people for help.
Whether the Jute mills should be closed or not, we can argue on that. But we can never justify not paying the workers salary. I think, it is as bad as taking bribe.
I am not a big fan of state owned enterprise. but there is no reason to believe the private jute sector will fail. There is still a market/potential for jute products. The paper and plastic products are environmental hazard. With increasing environmental hazard
For a long term solution, can we start a fund for a private jute mill? Some of the jute farmers, jute mill worker/engineers/managers
are still alive. If we do not act fast we will never get the chance to get this market.
Any actions?
July 26th, 2007 at 7:09 am
robot,
These links might interest youm especially regarding private investment in jute mills:
http://www.waronwant.org/Closure%20of%20biggest%20jute%20mills%20in%20the%20world%20leaves%2025,000%20jobless%202914.twl
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTINSPECTIONPANEL/0,,contentMDK:20230054~pagePK:64129751~piPK:64128378~theSitePK:380794,00.html
http://www.saprin.org/bangladesh/research/ban_research_meth.pdf (search for the word “jute” within the PDF)
And on current prospects and problems with jute: http://www.bils-bd.org/press_clipping_files/2007/June07/jute_paper.pdf
July 26th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
I read this in the DS today http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/27/d707271501102.htm
Would any knowledgable person be willing to tell me if giving out free food to the needy is also prohibited during “Emergency”? If so, should we file cases against people who handed out free sweets on Mrs. Hasina’s arrest?
July 28th, 2007 at 9:11 am
AsifY,
Refyr #16- the link didnt open and I couldnt trace the news/topic in the newspaper.I have seen the scnerio on TV during news. However in response to yr first query-NO givng out free food to the needy is not prohibited under any circumstances as thats an act that is good for them(humanitarian act).They are fed and r happy-whether they pray for you for this generous act of the “Donor” is another question and “Donor”shouldnt also expect it and should indulge in this act whenever possible for them.
However to distribute sweets/food because another human being( yr enemy/opponent or disliked person) is suffering either due arrests or physical problems - is definitely a bad tatse and against moral norms and no one encourages that.The people that we saw on the TV celebrating definitely seemed to be of those who have less or no education nor having any good parental/academic training–unfortunately in the third world countries those type also exists.
0n the flip side however Daily Star of 27th(letter to Editor Column) has a letter posted by Sajjad Haider on “Dhaka University teacher”- its about their action taken following Hasina arrest- that also is not moral.Boycotting classes deprives the students and their wearing blach badges is sending wrong moral values to students— YES they can definitely write or make arrangements to meet the concerned Authorities to ensure proper methods are folloed in respect of the cases for which Hasina was arrested.
We feel disturbed about this whole situation- nothing to happy about-But we also see from Newsprint and Electronics media that these environment are created by them n is the “Reason”-for SOE - we also feel disturbed because the family members specially children of young age (present generation) are emotionally disturded to learn about their parents and feel throughly ashamed and many have become “INTROVERTS” in their social life.Theirs should have been a life or normal cheerfulness and peace pursuing their education and way to their professional life.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Phantom,
I don’t mind DUTA protesting Hasina’s arrest by wearing black badges because before they are teachers, they are human beings who have a right to protest. I agree with you that boycotting classes is not the answer.
What REALLY, REALLY bothers me is that DUTA thinks that 1 person’s arrest is something to protest about and the fact that 14000 workers are unemployed, will not be paid till August and are facing hunger, poverty and a debt trap is not worthy of any protest.
Here’s the link again: http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/27/d707271501106.htm
Happy reading!
July 29th, 2007 at 12:35 am
This appeared in the DS today on the situation in Khalishpur:
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/07/29/d7072901117.htm
July 30th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
It is important to investigate and research why the Jute Industry is failing and at what cost can we revive this industry which is not just question of economic survival but has a lot to do with our heritage and culture. Like most of our organizations and industries what may be the lacking is good management. I feel we are truly lacking in finding the right Managers to run not just the Government but the private busines and organizations including the NGOs. This is where the DP members can be of great service by training professional managers.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Dr. M. Zafar Iqbal replied to my message with the account number set up by the Jatio Tran Committee. As I mentioned before, there is both a short term (stave off starvation) and long term dimension of the problem (rehabilitation). We can’t get to the long term without doing something about the short term problem.
I lie to gauge the interest in DP in doing something to mitigate the short term situation. If the dimension of the problem is too large, we can think of a smaller part to do.
Included below is MZI’s reply to my e-mail:
——————————————
Some Personal items deleted..
thank you for your concern for the khalispur victim. the “jatio tran committee” has opened a bank account in uttora bank at sat masjid road, dhanmondi, dhaka to help
them. the savings account number is 11-9756, you are most wecome to send the donation.
yes, i agree, govt. should help, but the govt. doesn’t care about some poor jutemill workers!
m. zafar iqbal
July 31st, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Saleh bhai,
thanks for the lead.
In the meantime, for those who haven’t seen this: http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/08/01/d7080101044.htm
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Fariha and others,
Sorry about the delay in getting back. As you can see from Saleh Tanveer’s email that there is a need for both short and long term rehabilitation.
I suggest we work on the short term needs from home and abroad and lobby the govt for the long term solution. Will people be interested in engaging with Geeti Ara Chowdhury on this? Perhaps, we can create a set of question on jute industry in general and send her a set of questions.
From this blog, we have created a team that is working on the migrant workers issue. If you are interested to work on this, I suggest you let me know here. It will mostly involve writing emails. As Fariha said, writing rhetoric is one thing and delivering and putting time where your mouth is a completely different ball game.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Dear Asif:
I will be happy to be part of this effort to do something about the Jute Workers. You may also include my colleague here in Ohio State University: Professor Sheikh Akbar (akbar.1@osu.edu), as he is personally connected to people in the Khalishpur area since he hails from there.
Can Farhan Kamran Chowdhury be available to be our conduit to the government’s way of thinking? What is the Industries adviser thinking about the short term and long term solution? What is her response to points raised in both MZI article and that of Hameeda Hossain.
August 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
What are in there in ARTICLE ( SECTION ) 22, 42 (2) and 70 of Bangladesh Constitution?
None of the Political Leader, N. G.O Leader , Leader of the Civil Society or Lawyer , or so called Intellegentia group of Bangladesh never expalin about the above for information of 150 million unfortunate common people of Bangladeshin in the last 35 years .
Liberation war of 1972 was for restoration of complete DEMOCRACY not for a rule by ROYAL FAMILY or for Monarchism of any individual famaily
Not to enact black laws to eradicate INDUSTRIES in both private and Government Sector
People say CORRUPTION / Malpractices in all stage of life of Bangladesh are due to the above section of the CONSTITUTION OF THE BANGLADESH.
Immunity have been given to the wrong doer through these Section of Bangladesh Constitution
August 9th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (Reuters) - One man was killed and 30 were injured in clashes between police and jute mill workers in Bangladesh main port town of Chittagong on Thursday over delayed payment of wages, police said.
Police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse about 400 workers who went on a rampage at the state-run jute firm, a police officer said.
The unrest began after mill officials offered to pay a week’s wages instead of 10 weeks owed to the workers, the officer said.
“One man died of beating while 30 others were brought here with various injuries including rubber bullet wounds,” said a doctor at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.
Officials at the mill were not available for comment.
Unrest among jute firm workers has mounted after the government closed four mills last month as part of plans to shut down loss-making plants across the country.
Jute, known as a “golden fibre”, derived from reed-like plants and used to make rope and sacking, was once Bangladesh’s main export, bringing in more than $700 million a year.
August 12th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Citizen (#25)
Liberation war of 1972 ??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1972 OR 1971?