Retrenched textile mill workers yet to be paid their dues
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Naim-Ul-Karim
The government is yet to allocate Tk 1.25 billion to pay dues of 2,633 officials, employees and workers of nine state-owned textile mills, who opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) with effect from July 31, a source said.
"At least two months ago we sent a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to sanction the said amount to pay the dues of the officials, employees and workers immediately after accepting their applications under VRS, a source in the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) told the FE Monday.
He, however, expressed the fear that the delay in payment of dues might trigger unrest among the retired employees.
Apart from this, the government is yet to allocate an amount of Tk 70 million for payment of dues of rest of the 500 officials, employees and workers, who were also released from services in November last, under VRS.
"We paid 70 per cent of their dues amounting to Tk 220 million. We are in touch of the ministry concerned for balance amount ……., he said.
When asked, an official source in the ministry of finance said they are preparing to sanction 70 per cent of the amount that BTMC sought for payment of dues of its 2633 former officials, employees and workers.
"Rest of the amount will be disbursed for payment after the end of the audit," he said.
However, sources said the BTMC is likely to retrench another 300 officials, employees and workers under VRS soon.
Meanwhile, they said the authority concerned is likely to float tenders for handing over of four state-owned textile mills to the private sector operators.
In a latest move, the government April 17 approved a proposal to privatise 17 state owned enterprises (SoEs), 12 of them operating in the textiles and jute industries, aiming to complete the process in four months.
The government is yet to allocate Tk 1.25 billion to pay dues of 2,633 officials, employees and workers of nine state-owned textile mills, who opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) with effect from July 31, a source said.
"At least two months ago we sent a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to sanction the said amount to pay the dues of the officials, employees and workers immediately after accepting their applications under VRS, a source in the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) told the FE Monday.
He, however, expressed the fear that the delay in payment of dues might trigger unrest among the retired employees.
Apart from this, the government is yet to allocate an amount of Tk 70 million for payment of dues of rest of the 500 officials, employees and workers, who were also released from services in November last, under VRS.
"We paid 70 per cent of their dues amounting to Tk 220 million. We are in touch of the ministry concerned for balance amount ……., he said.
When asked, an official source in the ministry of finance said they are preparing to sanction 70 per cent of the amount that BTMC sought for payment of dues of its 2633 former officials, employees and workers.
"Rest of the amount will be disbursed for payment after the end of the audit," he said.
However, sources said the BTMC is likely to retrench another 300 officials, employees and workers under VRS soon.
Meanwhile, they said the authority concerned is likely to float tenders for handing over of four state-owned textile mills to the private sector operators.
In a latest move, the government April 17 approved a proposal to privatise 17 state owned enterprises (SoEs), 12 of them operating in the textiles and jute industries, aiming to complete the process in four months.