Effat Sania Nancy, Khulna 

Khulna Citizens’ Forum has strongly demanded the immediate reopening of all closed state-owned and private mills and factories in the Khulna region, the payment of outstanding wages to workers, and an end to corruption, illegal tenders, and looting of industrial assets.

 The demands were raised at a press conference held at the forum’s temporary office on Tuesday. 

The written statement was presented by Advocate Md. Babul Hawlader, Member Secretary of the forum. The event was presided over by the forum’s convener, freedom fighter Advocate A. F. M. Mohsin, and conducted by Munir Chowdhury Sohel, Convener of Ganasanghati Andolon, Khulna district.

Among those present were Nizamur Rahman Lalu (senior vice president, Greater Khulna Development Struggle Co-ordination Committee), CPB leader Mizanur Rahman Babu, SM Delwar Hossain (president, Law and Rights Implementation Forum, Khulna division), Sardar Abu Taher (general secretary, We the People of Greater Khulna), Abdus Salam Shimul (chairman, Khulna Development Society), Sheikh Md. Nasir Uddin (president, Safe Roads Movement, Khulna city), Dr. Syed Mosaddeq Hossain Babul (acting chairman, Khulna Development Forum), and many other leaders of various social, labour and rights organisations.

In the written statement, the Forum alleged that under the pretext of losses, the government in 2020 abruptly shut down 26 jute mills, including nine in Khulna, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to the unemployment of 26,000 permanent and temporary workers and impacted the livelihood of many more dependent families. The statement accused the then government of creating a reign of fear through force and shutting the mills as part of a political conspiracy.

The speakers also highlighted that prior to this, in 2002, the Khulna Newsprint Mill was closed, followed by the closure of Khulna Hardboard Mill in 2013. Other private mills such as Sonali Jute Mill, Ajax Jute Mill, Afil Jute Mill, and Mohsin Jute Mill also shut down over the years due to similar policies. Major industries including Khulna Textile Mill, Dada Match Factory, and Bangladesh Oxygen Company have also ceased operations, leaving the industrial landscape of Khulna in shambles.

The forum alleged massive corruption, looting, and asset misappropriation at various levels — from top government offices to local influential quarters. Citing the example of Khulna Newsprint Mill, they said that machinery worth at least Tk 500 crore was sold off in 2023 for a mere Tk 68 crore through a controversial tender. This looting continues under different guises such as leases and tenders, with valuable machinery and property being smuggled and sold as scrap.

Khulna Citizens’ Forum called for the cancellation of all illegal tenders, immediate halt to the looting of national assets, prompt payment of workers’ dues, and revival of all closed mills and factories to restore economic vitality in the region. They also demanded an end to the harassment of labour leaders who protest these injustices.