Jute associations question inclusion of Munna, Shopon

The government approved the formation of Jute Sector Industry Skills Council (JSISC) on December 6, but two of its board members have not been nominated from any registered association.

The two members are Secretary General Md Rashedul Karim Munna and Director Shopon Kumar Das.

The JSISC convening committee said Munna and Shopon represent Bangladesh Jute Diversified Products and Exporters Association (BJDPEA). But BJDPEA is not approved by the commerce ministry.

Because of this, two existing jute sector apex bodies – Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) and Bangladesh Jute Goods Exporters Association (BJGEA) – have questioned the inclusion of Munna and Shopon in the council.

They have also questioned the necessity of a fourth association as there are already three in this small sector. Munna is also a BJMA member.

“We do not know how they [Munna and Shopon] have been included in the committee. The JSISC constitution says every board member will be a representative of any of the jute sector associations,” BJGEA Senior Vice Chairman S Ahmed Mazumder told The Business Post.

“But BJDPEA is not a registered association. I think they included their names in the committee to gain illegal benefits.”

He said BJGEA represents jute goods exporters. “Diversified jute goods are also part of jute goods. Munna was our member, but it is not clear why he is trying to form another association.”

JSISC is set to jointly work with the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) under the Prime Minister’s Office. Based on demands in national and international labour markets, NSDA creates skilled human resources through planning and coordination of all skills development activities. It works with a council formed by representatives of the existing apex bodies in different sectors.

To work with NSDA, jute sector leaders formed an 11-member convening committee and sought the commerce ministry’s approval. Md Hafizur Rahman, additional secretary of the ministry, approved JSISC on December 6 under Section 28 of the Companies Act 1994.

Hafizur said, “The ministry will take initiatives if there is any objection to JSISC. The aggrieved associations can submit complaints to the ministry officially, if any.”

Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman Patwari, chairman of JSISC and immediate past chairman of BJMA, said, “It is true that Munna included his association’s name in the committee to bring it to the fore. I had no involvement with the committee when it was formed.”

Another JSISC member said, “Now Shopon wants to resign from his existing JSISC post.”

The Business Post could not reach Munna and Shopon for their comments on the matter.