United News of Bangladesh

Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain announced on Thursday that 14 units of Beximco Industrial Park have been closed, with payments to workers set to begin from March 9. “The Advisory Council Committee met yesterday and reached this decision,” he said at a press conference addressing the labour and business situation of Beximco Industrial Park’s factories. The adviser assured that neither he nor the authorities were against the workers. “We never wanted any worker to lose their job, and we still don’t. Even in the future, we won’t wish for it,” he added. A total of Tk 525.46 crore will be required to settle the dues of 31,669 workers and 1,565 officials from the 14 closed industrial units. Payments will start on March 9. About financial challenges, the adviser said no bank was willing to provide funds. “All the banks have declined, saying they can no longer provide support. However, we have managed to arrange the required amount. InshaAllah, payments will begin on March 9, and all dues will be cleared before mid-Ramadan,” he added. Payment of Beximco workers’ dues to begin March 9 Out of the total amount, Tk 325.46 crore will come from the finance division, while the labour ministry will provide Tk 200 crore as a loan. The Bangladesh Bank will replace the funds when necessary. A committee has also been formed to determine the next steps regarding the closed units. The committee will be led by Lutfey Siddique, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs, who holds the rank of an adviser. Urging workers to remain calm, Sakhawat Hossain said, “Please do not take any protest programme that would force us to adopt stricter measures. We do not want to be tough on anyone. I also request the workers to understand the situation. You are all patriots. I have met many of you, and I will reach out to others at the appropriate time. Please do not create or allow any situation that could lead to further problems.”

The government has assured that all outstanding dues of Beximco Industrial Parks’ workers will be cleared within February, ahead of the upcoming Ramadan, according to Labor and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M. Sakhawat Hossain. Speaking to reporters after a meeting on the current situation of Beximco industries at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Sakhawat Hossain confirmed that financial arrangements are being finalized to settle payments. “Workers of Beximco Apparel were initially laid off and it was later shut down. We had assured that all outstanding dues from the closure would be paid within this month. The necessary financial arrangements are being made,” he said. He added that a newly appointed administrator is currently calculating the exact amount due. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 18, which is expected to be the final discussion on the matter. Plastic products can boost export diversification: Commerce Adviser The managing directors of all banks involved will also attend the next meeting to determine the sources of funds, he stated. Once funds are arranged, the payments will be directly transferred to the accounts of the respective employees within this month, he assured. The adviser noted that more than 27,000 workers from Beximco’s industrial units are awaiting their dues. “Each worker will receive what they are owed, but the total amount is still being determined,” he said, adding that the new administrator, who took office on February 5, has been given until February 18 to complete the process. When asked whether the payments would come from government funds or share sales, Sakhawat Hossain said that the decision will be finalized by February 18. “There are multiple possibilities—it could come from the Finance Division, or from share sales if the existing complications are resolved. Whether it will be through share sales or asset liquidation will be decided on that day,” he explained. Addressing concerns over the workers’ future employment, the adviser expressed confidence that they will not remain jobless for long. DMP Commissioner orders urgent probe into July movement cases “There is currently a 5% to 7% workforce shortage in the garment sector. We cannot let such a large number of skilled workers remain unemployed,” he said. He added that efforts are underway to find alternative employment opportunities for the affected workers, with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) actively involved in the process.