DHAKA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Some 30,000 people have become jobless as 23 big salt industries have closed down so far in Bangladesh's southwestern Khulna district for shortage of funds.

    The hapless people were involved directly or indirectly in those salt-refining industries, UNB news agency reported Saturday.

    The salt factories in the coastal district are the largest in terms of production capacity and they play a major role in fulfilling demand for refined salt of different industries in the country.

    Main users of salt are leather, detergent, soap, oral saline, pharmaceutical, dye chemical and textile industries. Apart from feeding those industries, the salt industries are also major contributor to the nation's program for removing malnutrition.

    A total of 35 big salt iodizing industries are situated in Khulna, 140 km southwest of capital Dhaka. They used to fulfill the country's 70 percent iodized salt requirement, according to the Khulna Salt Industry Owners' Association (KSIOA).

    KSIOA President and Vice-President of Bangladesh Salt Mill Owners Association Sheik Mahbubul Haque Peter said seven out of the 35 industries are in full production. The rest could go bust soon unless they get attention from the authorities and adequate finance.