Protesters block highway in Khulna over raw jute export ban

Jute workers staged a protest and blocked the Khulna-Jessore highway in Khulna on Tuesday morning, May 19, demanding the withdrawal of conditions imposed on raw jute exports and payment of outstanding wages. The blockade at the Daulatpur Railgate intersection halted traffic for several hours, causing severe suffering for commuters.

Under the banner of the Daulatpur Jute Press and Baling Workers' Union, workers gathered at the Daulatpur Railgate area from morning. They then brought out a protest march and positioned themselves in front of the Bangladesh Jute Association building, blocking the highway.

During the blockade, a few agitated workers threw bricks and smashed window panes of the BJA building. Police were deployed to bring the situation under control. The blockade was lifted around 12:30 pm following intervention by labour leaders and police, normalising traffic after nearly two and a half hours.

Labour leaders alleged that the jute sector has been in crisis since conditions were imposed on raw jute exports on September 8, 2025. Various jute press houses across the country have virtually shut down, leaving thousands of workers unemployed. Many workers have not received wages for nine months.

The leaders warned of tougher programmes if the conditions on raw jute exports are not withdrawn and outstanding wages are not paid soon.

Meanwhile, at a press conference at the BJA building, organisation chairman Khandaker Alamgir Kabir said substantial foreign exchange used to be earned by exporting surplus raw jute after meeting domestic demand. However, raw jute exports have significantly decreased this fiscal year due to the government's new conditions.

According to BJA, approximately 86.67 lakh bales of raw jute are currently stockpiled in the country, while domestic mill and market demand is only about 45 lakh bales, raising fears of a massive surplus.

The BJA also stated that nearly 40 jute press houses in Khulna, Narayanganj, greater Faridpur and northern Bengal are on the verge of closure, leaving lakhs of workers jobless. Even with business halted, companies are facing financial crisis due to warehouse rents, bank interest, insurance and labour costs.

BJA leaders alleged that some jute mills are exploiting the situation to control the market, depriving farmers and traders of fair prices.

Khandaker Alamgir Kabir said if raw jute is not exempted from the list of conditional export items, the BJA will hold continuous human chains and protests in front of its Daulatpur office from Wednesday.