Dhaka: Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain announced that the government will settle the unpaid dues of workers by liquidating the assets of factory owners who fled the country following the July uprising. The adviser revealed that properties including houses, cars, and lands of these fugitives will be sold to compensate the workers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, many ministers and members of parliament from the previous government have also escaped and are currently hiding abroad. The government is taking steps to address the workers’ dues by selling off their assets. Furthermore, Dr. Hussain mentioned that he is in discussions to issue red alerts through Interpol to bring back the factory owners who absconded without fulfilling their financial obligations to their employees.
The adviser made these statements while speaking as the chief guest at a shadow cabinet event focused on improving relations between workers and factory owners to safeguard labor rights. This event was organized by Debate for Democracy in commemoration of May Day 2025, as stated in a press release.
Emphasizing the importance of harmonious relations between owners and laborers, Sakhawat remarked that the culture of caring for workers by employers is yet to be fully realized. He reiterated the government’s support for workers but also highlighted the need to consider the interests of factory owners to foster unity between the two groups.
Dr. Hussain attributed the previous government’s criminal activities to the failures in the industrial sector, noting the dual roles held by factory owners as political leaders and lawmakers, which facilitated past exploitation and misrule.
He also pointed out that workers, alongside students, participated significantly in the July movement due to prolonged exploitation. Referring to the Rana Plaza disaster, Sakhawat criticized the government’s negligence and dismissed the rescue of a female worker, Reshma, after 17 days as a ‘planned drama.’
The event was also attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, A H M Shafiquzzaman, as a special guest, with Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron presiding over the session.