Will political change finally address the woes of Bengal’s jute workers?

With the jute industry in crisis and elections approaching, workers and their families face dire economic and living conditions. Despite political promises, skepticism runs high as many recall better support under previous administrations. The struggle for overdue benefits and a livable environment continues.

The arguments

Amid political blame games and economic struggles, workers seek relief and change, highlighting the dire need for consistent support and accountability in the industry.

Despite federal mandates for jute bag usage, mills suffer from inconsistent orders, affecting operations and employment. The jute industry’s crisis is exacerbated by external competition, natural disasters, and pandemic-related disruptions, hindering recovery efforts.

In a report by Al Jazeera, a former employee named Amirul Laskar lamented, “Such disruptions had happened three to four times last year also, when work was suspended for a few months before resuming again,” Laskar said, adding that things have not improved this year. “The financial situation is pathetic and I am trying to migrate to another state to find work to feed my family.”

Skepticism of political promises

Workers express frustration at the lack of political engagement from both state and federal leaders, feeling ignored except during election periods. Despite Modi’s promises of government assistance through mandated jute bag use, workers remain sceptical, blaming both major parties for their predicament.

Many workers recall better working conditions under the last CPIM government and are considering voting for them again, citing their past efforts to maintain hygiene and handle worker problems.

Also, the upcoming elections in West Bengal’s jute belt see workers leaning towards the Communist Party of India (Marxist) due to perceived better past governance.

Systematic exploitation

The employment of contract labour over full-time workers to reduce costs is viewed by critics as exploitation, with mill owners allegedly citing financial losses as a pretext to avoid statutory requirements.

As a result, Mill owners and workers clash over unpaid statutory benefits, with allegations of financial mismanagement and exploitation.

Legal experts contradict the story of constant losses in the jute business, claiming that mill owners are systematically evading their legal responsibilities.

The facts

The closure since February 2024 has affected 4,000 Delta Jute Mill employees. Jute is a prominent industry in Bengal, employing almost 4.8 million people.

Jute workers and farmers are a key vote constituency that politicians frequently court during election season.

The upcoming May 20 elections in West Bengal’s jute belt will pit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP against the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which is led by the Indian National Congress.

Modi blames the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the industry’s downfall, but workers remain sceptical of both the TMC and the BJP, recalling better working conditions under the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Workers confront poor living conditions, including overflowing sewers and a lack of maintenance in their apartments. West Bengal has 85 jute mills, eight of which are closed, while the rest run at reduced capacity. Despite government mandates for jute bag use, supply orders have decreased, impacting mill operations.

Meanwhile, India exported $442 million in jute products for the fiscal year ended March 2023. Exports from April 2023 to February 2024 totaled $322 million.

Workers seek late provident fund and gratuity payments, whereas permanent employees are entitled to unpaid statutory benefits.

Lawyer Biswajit Mukherjee claims mill owners use financial loss claims to avoid taxes and charges, estimating that they owe 4 billion rupees in unpaid gratuities.