Adviser to the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Shipping Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain has stated that if the interest-free loans provided by the government for paying workers’ overdue wages are not repaid on time, strict legal action will be taken against the owners of the concerned industrial factories.
The adviser made these remarks while chairing a meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday morning. The meeting was attended by the secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the secretary of the Banking and Financial Institutions Division, a representative of Bangladesh Bank, the president of BGMEA, and owners of the concerned loan-recipient factories.
Adviser Sakhawat Hossain informed that, due to the failure of various industrial owners to pay workers’ dues, the government provided interest-free loans from the Finance Division and the Central Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Employment to Birds Group, TNZ Group, Beximco Group, Dard Group, Niagara Textiles Ltd., Roar Fashion Ltd., Mahmud Jeans Ltd, Style Craft Ltd, and Goldstar Garments Ltd., to resolve labour unrest. However, the concerned companies are not repaying the funds as per the loan agreement.
He stated in strong terms that the government will take a strict stance against them, with Initiatives to seize their passports. Already, steps have been taken to issue Interpol Red Notices against several owners currently on the run, he said.
He instructed the authorities to take necessary measures and suspend the passports of fugitive owners and high-level officials of the companies.
The adviser emphasised, “This loan money belongs to the workers; it’s people’s tax money. This money must be repaid by next December.” He made it clear that no leniency will be shown in this matter.
He urged the owners and representatives of the concerned industrial companies to discuss with the relevant lien banks and repay the entire loan amount by December, even if it requires selling the company’s land, factory, or machinery. He called upon BGMEA and BKMEA to act as mediators and take effective steps in this regard.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, as well as representatives of concerned banks and industrial companies.
