Beximco workers’ dues will be paid by Feb: Adviser Sakhawat

The dues of Beximco workers will be paid by this month, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said today (12 February). Speaking at the 7th meeting of the advisory council committee on reviewing the labour and business situation in Beximco Industrial Park, Sakhawat said a new receiver has been appointed and will determine the exact number of workers, their dues, and the total bank debt by 18 February. 

He also stated that managing directors of banks and financial institutions will provide detailed loan information, including mortgage and asset values. "The banks will then disburse the workers' dues by February," he added.

Regarding unemployment, the adviser emphasised the workers' skills and assured that work arrangements would be made, with BIDA currently working on the issue. The adviser earlier said the government will arrange the sale of Beximco's mortgaged shares in Beximco Pharmaceuticals and Shinepukur Ceramics to clear dues of workers from laid-off factories.

However, Beximco has requested a review of this decision, highlighting that as a result of the closure, about 35,000 workers and employees would become unemployed, leaving them with an uncertain future. Tensions have been high since 17 December when Beximco authorities announced the 45-day closure of the 16 factories after paying November wages.

Since then, workers staged several demonstrations demanding the reopening of the 16 factories.

Earlier on 16 January, Beximco Limited sought Tk400 crore in cash credit (CC) – short-term financing – from state-owned Janata Bank to cover operating expenses, along with the opportunity to open back-to-back letters of credit to keep its 15 embattled textile and apparel factories running. In exchange, the group offered land and shares valued at approximately Tk572 crore as collateral. 

Additionally, it requested a 15-year rescheduling of all debts incurred until December 2024 at a 5% interest rate with a two-year moratorium, pledging to repay liabilities in the long term by sustaining employment and exports.