Govt asks to see salary records of Tuba Group

The labour ministry has asked to see within four days the records on how much the Tuba Group owes its workers.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 August 2014, 07:03 PM
Updated : 26 August 2014, 07:03 PM

State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Tuesday also told the owners that they would have to pay all dues of the workers if they wanted to shut it down.

He spoke to reporters after a meeting with Tuba owner Delwar Hossain and others at the Secretariat.

The 1,600 workers of five factories owned by the group got three months of unpaid salaries after a long hunger strike, but they still have not received their Eid bonuses.

They are also out of work, as Delwar, who was recently bailed in the Tazreen fire case, has shut down the factories.

The junior minister said the owners' closure notice was out of order.

"If the owner wants to shut down, the ministry will determine the workers' dues by talking to the labour unions there," Chunnu said.

"After that we'll decide how the dues will be paid."

Tuba Group MD Delwar told reporters, "No one is on my side. I am helpless. Everyone is with the workers."

"I have no way to pay their dues. You can take my properties and give them the money," he said.

He said he would be able to pay the workers if he received the insurance payment of Tk 112.6 million.

Delwar said he may not be able to give the ministry the numbers within four days.