Pay wages by May 28 or face music Adviser Sakhawat
Staff Reporter :
Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Shipping, on Wednesday warned that owners of TNZ Ltd, Mahmud Group, and other firms with outstanding wage arrears have been given a strict deadline of 28 May to settle all dues, or risk arrest.
Speaking after a meeting at the Ministry of Shipping’s conference room in the Secretariat, Dr Sakhawat said, “You must either pay the wages owed or face imprisonment.”
The meeting, held to discuss preparations for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, also addressed naval transport safety and passenger security during the holiday rush.
Dr Sakhawat emphasised that all wage payments must be completed by 28 May, adding that legal action will be pursued against defaulters.
“Those with ongoing court cases will be arrested. For company owners with outstanding arrest warrants currently abroad, we have recommended issuing red alerts,” he said. “Owners who fail to pay their workers will not be permitted to leave the city, let alone the country.”
He further revealed that five owners have already been sued in Labour Court for unpaid wages, with additional lawsuits underway. “No owner will be exempt from action,” he asserted.
Regarding Eid transport management, Dr Sakhawat noted that millions of people travel to southern Bangladesh via waterways during the festival. “Last Eid, rail, bus, and naval services operated smoothly, and we expect the same this year.”
To ensure safety, naval police and coast guard personnel will be deployed extensively. Starting 5 June, each launch will carry four armed Ansar personnel. Furthermore, bulkhead vessels will be restricted for three days before and seven days after Eid, and speedboats will be prohibited from operating at night.
Dr Sakhawat also announced the trial operation of two ferries on the Roumari-Chilmari route, which will formally commence full service shortly. “This route will connect Jamalpur and reduce travel distance by nearly 100 kilometres, thanks to recent dredging.”
On safety measures, large launches have been instructed to avoid racing each other, and vessels departing from or arriving at the Buriganga River must reduce speed to minimise dangerous waves. Strict prohibitions on overloading and allowing passengers on rooftops have also been enforced.