Four companies have deposited a combined Tk20.73 crore into the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation Fund as their share of profits from the previous financial year, according to a ministry press release.
Representatives of the companies handed over the cheques to Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury at his office on Tuesday.
Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder was present at the event.
Under the Bangladesh Labour Act, local and multinational companies are required to deposit one-tenth of 5 per cent of their annual profits into the fund established for workers’ welfare.
Unilever Bangladesh and Unilever Consumer Care deposited Tk7.59 crore, British American Tobacco Bangladesh deposited Tk7.17 crore, bKash contributed Tk4.79 crore and APL Bangladesh deposited Tk1.17 crore.
Receiving the cheques, Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the fund plays an important role in supporting institutional and informal sector workers, including providing medical assistance to distressed and sick workers, helping families affected by workplace accidents and supporting workers’ children with education.
The minister thanked the four companies for regularly depositing their designated share of profits and urged other companies to make their required contributions to the fund.
The cheque handover ceremony was attended by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, senior officials from the contributing companies and officials of the Labour and Employment Ministry.
