Dhaka: The government on Monday allocated Tk 169.14 crore for partially clearing the arrears and Eid bonus of workers of state-owned jute mills ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The workers’ wages and bonus will be disbursed through their respective accounts, said sources at the Textiles and Jute Ministry.

The Finance Ministry has allocated the money as an operation loan and it will be given for paying a portion of the arrears and Eid bonus of the striking workers, according to the sources.

Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) will pay the wages and bonus through the bank accounts of the workers.

According to a letter of the Finance Ministry, the authorities concerned will have to repay the money in 20 years with 5 percent interest in installments after every six months.

The BJMC will have to sign a loan agreement with the Finance Division in this regard.

The government allocated the money following the countrywide demonstration enforced by the jute mill workers to press home their nine-point demand, including payment of their dues, implementation of wage commission and others.

The government had been in dilemma to pay the money to the BJMC as it proved itself as a loss-making organisation.

Earlier, the government provided BJMC with Tk 7,477 crore since 2009 to bail it out of its financial crisis.