Nassa Group to clear workers’ dues under settlement deal: Labour secretary

Labour and Employment Secretary Sanowar Jahan Bhuiyan has said the Nassa Group will clear outstanding dues of its factory workers in line with a tripartite settlement agreement signed earlier this month.

The agreement, reached on 23 September among workers, owners, and representatives of various government agencies, was intended to resolve existing disputes and labour unrest within Nassa Group. The secretary made the disclosure today (30 September) following a meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in the Secretariat.

In the presence of representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, workers, owners, several banks, and Nassa Group, the meeting decided that the company must arrange funds and immediately begin paying workers' pending wages and dues, according to a ministry release.

Payments will be made through digital platforms such as bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and Dutch-Bangla mobile banking. For workers without accounts, the company has been instructed to prepare a detailed list and ensure accounts are opened by 10 October.

The meeting further decided that the Tk24 crore deposited by Nassa Group in Exim Bank must be released in consultation with Bangladesh Bank and the government's Financial Institutions Division.

In addition, Tk2,18,41,840 in cash incentives deposited with Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC (Local Office branch) must be released through Bangladesh Bank. South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank PLC will also release Tk4,26,85,507 from Nassa Group's export earnings after deducting a 1% down payment, enabling the company to pay its workers.

It was also resolved that the signing of the power of attorney by Nassa Group Chairman Md Nazrul Islam Mazumder, currently in prison, must take place in the presence of a judicial or executive magistrate.

As part of the settlement, Nazrul Islam will release a video message addressed to the workers regarding the payment of dues.