Dhaka, August 19:

Workers in Bangladesh have asked the government to totally ban raw jute exports to India and Pakistan saying the two importers have gained commercial advantage.

Four trade union leaders yesterday demanded the ban in a joint statement, saying Bangladesh should export only valued added jute items, providing 15,000 to 20,000 more jobs.

“Raw jute export has been causing harms to national industry for long. Some 25,000 workers have already lost their jobs and remaining jobs in the jute industry are also threatened,” said the statement.

The statement was jointly issued by president Bangladesh Sramik Karmachari Federation

Humayun Kabir and general secretary Siddiqul Islam and president Narayanganj Jute Sramik Samity Khorshed Alam and general secretary Abdus Salam.

They pointed out that by importing raw jute from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan made high value added products, New Age newspaper reported today.

Bangladesh also exports raw jute to some other countries including China.