To boost production and consumption of jute and keeping workers interest in mind, consensual and amicable solutions and suggestions have been called for in the areas of policy and implementation in the jute sector with a view to develop by Union Labour minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who met with the representatives from Textiles, Commerce and Industry and Finance ministries as well as different trade unions during the tripartite meeting.

In line with the government's motto of achieving growth with a human face, the tripartite meeting served as a cauldron of ideas and suggestions, aimed at boosting the production and consumption of the golden fibre in the country, while also keeping in mind the concerns of jute workers, requirements of employers and priorities of the government, a labour ministry said.

Suggestions and solutions are invited from all participants in not only the areas of policy and implementation but in consumption, production, productivity, labour welfare and exports.

As a major cash crop grown in eastern India, the Jute industry supports the livelihood of nearly 40 lakh farm families and provides direct and indirect employment to over 4 lakh workers.

Although, demand for jute has been under tremendous pressure due to the increasing competition from plastics, and subsidized imports in a globalised environment of late but globally, India is the largest producer and second largest exporter of this eco-friendly product, which finds wide application in the packaging industry.