Pay workers by May 28 or face jail

Labour and Employment Adviser to the caretaker government Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain yesterday said that garment factory owners must clear outstanding wages of their workers by May 28 ahead of Eid-ul-Azha or risk imprisonment.

"Otherwise, they could land in jail," he said, adding, "warrants have been issued" against nearly all owners who have failed to pay their workers and gone into hiding, according to a private television channel.

Sakhawat, also the adviser of the shipping ministry, was speaking to reporters at the shipping ministry, according to state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

He said a meeting with several factory owners had taken place on Tuesday, during which the decision was made to settle all wage dues by May 28.

His remarks followed protests earlier that day, when several hundred workers from eight factories of TNZ Group blocked the road in front of Kakrail Mosque in the capital, demanding unpaid wages and other service benefits.

Police earlier stopped the workers from marching towards the chief adviser's residence at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The protesters gathered at Shrom Bhaban, which houses the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, the Department of Labour, and the Labour Welfare Foundation, according to witnesses.

Speaking to journalists, Sakhawat said that issues related to the readymade garment sector usually fall under the jurisdiction of the industries and commerce ministries.

However, he said he had been compelled to step in due to the urgency of the situation.

He also said that steps were being taken to issue a "red alert" for factory owners facing arrest warrants who had left the country.

Besides, some owners have been ordered not to leave town, he said.

"Workers' wages must be paid, even if it requires [owners] to sell their properties or cars," he said.

Sakhawat said that those unable to pay their workers should no longer continue business in the garment sector.

"There are good employers in this industry, which continues to grow thanks to rising exports," he said. "On the other hand, a few individuals joined the readymade garment business just to bide their time or make a name for themselves."

While expressing sympathy for the workers, he urged them not to "unnecessarily waste their time" by sitting around his office.

Earlier on March 25, the government imposed a travel ban on 12 factory owners who had failed to pay wages and bonuses.

At the time, Sakhawat said the ban would be lifted if the dues were cleared by March 27.