Factory closures due to mismanagement, fund diversions, not govt failure: Labour adviser

Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has said the government cannot be blamed for the closure of certain factories, attributing the situation to mismanagement and fund diversion by some owners.

"Some individuals have established industrial enterprises to divert funds. Those who took bank loans, laundered money abroad, and failed to pay their workers have now fled the country. That is why some factories have shut down. I (the government) am not responsible for factory closures," he said.

He made the remarks today (2 August) at 11:30am while speaking to officers and staff of the Department of Labour, as well as trade union leaders, at the National Occupational Safety and Health Training and Research Institute in Rajshahi. He also handed over cheques to workers at the event.

The adviser said the country's export earnings have risen by 7% to 8% due to the continued operation of well-managed factories.

"Good owners have stayed in the country and are looking after their workers. They are doing good business," he added.

Addressing worker protests, he said, "Workers' demands are endless. They can certainly protest. Anyone can take to the streets with their demands. I also have demands, I can also take to the streets."

Commenting on trade union elections, he said, "Once someone wins an election, they want to stay for life. You have seen this before. I hope these practices will not continue. The practice of good representatives emerging through elections will begin."

Earlier, the adviser inaugurated the country's first Occupational Safety and Health research conference at the institute.

During his inaugural speech, he talked about the lack of health and safety protocols in some sectors.

"The lack of sanitation facilities in tea gardens is highly inhumane. This is causing cancer among the female workers there. Drinking water is also not available in those areas," he said.