Staff Reporter :
Labour Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain announced on Thursday that reopening the closed factories of the Beximco Group is not feasible due to the significant debt burden they carry.
“These factories have accumulated such massive debts that their operational viability has been completely eroded,” the adviser said during a press briefing held by the Advisory Council Committee on Reviewing the Labor and Business Situation of Industrial Enterprises in Beximco Industrial Park at the Secretariat.
Addressing the workers’ demands and the government’s stance, the adviser stated, “On January 21, employees and workers of Beximco Industrial Park assembled at the Sreepur Mayanagar ground in Gazipur, demanding the withdrawal of layoffs and the immediate reopening of factories.”
The workers threatened to initiate a shutdown, including blocking the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, if their demands were not met by 3:00 PM on January 22. Their protests escalated into violent activities, such as setting fires, which the adviser condemned.
“These actions are unacceptable, and all individuals involved in such activities will face legal consequences,” he added, emphasising the need to maintain law and order.
The adviser reiterated the government’s intention to keep factories operational but highlighted that this depends on various factors, including the financial condition of the enterprises.
The closure of the factories in Beximco Industrial Park has not only disrupted thousands of livelihoods but has also raised questions about the future of industrial operations and debt management in the sector.
Meanwhile, Beximco group’s workers and officials at a separate press briefing in the capital demanded to reopen factories. Syed Md Enam Ullah, head of Personnel & Administration (CFDL) at Beximco Garments Division, Beximco Textile Division Ltd, read out a statement outlining three key demands.
The workers of Beximco have set fire to the Grameen factory and vehicles, demanding the reopening of 16 closed factories. The three primary demands are as follows:
– Restoration of banking services, with the re-opening of back-to-back LCs, to allow for the resumption of export trade and receiving foreign work orders.
– Immediate steps to pay off all outstanding wages and liabilities, while ensuring that factories and businesses continue to operate.
Abdul Kaium, head of administration, mentioned that an internal audit at Beximco Industrial Park indicated that selling all its companies would generate Tk15,500 crore, but addressing the dues through layoffs would require Tk22,000 crore.
A planning division official revealed that workers are now actively seeking out company officials, fearing potential retribution.
“Workers don’t know the owners; they simply follow our directives. With the current crisis unfolding, they’re now after us. We are unable to provide answers and are on the run,” the official explained.
He said, “We are unclear about what the owners have done with the loans. Permission should be granted to open LCs. Let the factories operate.
Worker wages and operational expenses can be paid from the export earnings. If needed, allow profits to stay with the banks, but the factories must be reopened.”