Garment factory owners must settle all outstanding wages of their workers by May 28, or face arrest and imprisonment, warned Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Wednesday.

He came up with the warning while speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat after a meeting on Eid-ul-Azha preparations.

“There were plans for workers to besiege the Labour Ministry and Jamuna buildings. The factories are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, but somehow the responsibility is falling on me. On Tuesday, we sat with the factory owners and it was decided that they would clear workers’ dues by May 28 — even if they have to sell their houses to do so. If they fail, arrest warrants could be issued,” the adviser said.

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Warrants have already been issued and if the owners are found abroad, red alerts will be activated through the proper channels, he said, adding, “They must pay the workers — whether by selling houses or vehicles. Anyone who can’t pay workers for two or three months has no place in this sector.”

“I urge the owners to pay their workers or prepare for jail. Arrest warrants are in place, but we haven’t activated them yet. But, some owners have been told they cannot stay in Dhaka,” he said.

Besides, arrest warrants have already been issued against five factory owners, said the adviser.

Referring to the ferry services on Roumari-Chilmari route, the adviser said two medium-sized ferries have been introduced on the route in northern parts of Bangladesh, he said.

Already ferry services on the route are operating on a trial basis but are expected to launch officially soon.

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“This new route will connect Jamalpur more directly. Once fully operational, it will reduce travel time to Dhaka by nearly 100 kilometers for people in the region. This is a significant achievement and we plan to begin full ferry service from Thursday ahead of Eid. The route has been restored through necessary dredging,” said the adviser.