Workers take to streets opposing Sanofi's exit from BD

After sales and supply representatives, workers of Sanofi Bangladesh Limited (SBL) have now taken to the streets calling upon the top management of the France-based drug maker to withdraw its plan to wind up business in the country.
At a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the city on Saturday, workers of the multinational company in their hundreds announced to stage a symbolic hunger strike for two hours tomorrow (Monday) protesting its decision to wrap up operation.
Expressing concern over the 'unexpected decision' to wind up its business activities in Bangladesh, Golam Mustofa, general secretary of the trade union in the SBL, said they have come to know through media reports that the Paris-based company was in the process of leaving the country.
"This is unexpected and unacceptable. We request the authorities concerned to move away from the decision officially to remove tension of 1,100 workers and employees," he said.
Sharing current mental state of the workers, he said they cannot concentrate on anything amid tension of losing jobs, which will ultimately jeopardise their living.
"We want to do our jobs inside the factory instead of making street protest. Please do not force us to go on a tougher movement," he said. President of the union Abdur Razzak said the company recently shared its quitting decision with the media even though the well-reputed brand has been making consistent profit over the years.
"I don't know why such a decision came. It cannot be accepted at all. Please quit such illogical plan immediately," he said.
In protest against the development, the workers will observe a symbolic hunger strike for two hours from 4:30pm on Monday, according to him.
"We don't want to go for street agitation. Don't force us to do that," Mr Razzak warned.
Tension has gripped the staff and workers of the company since September 14 when The Financial Express published an article regarding its decision to leave Bangladesh after six decades' long journey.
Since then, employees responsible for supply and sales of the drug maker have been continuing various forms of protests for compensation and benefit packages.
Under such circumstances, SBL Managing Director Muin Uddin Mazumder last week officially confirmed the company's intention to sell its stake to a potential and trustworthy buyer who could carry its legacy ahead.
Since 1958, the Paris-based company having operations in more than 100 countries has been producing key life-saving drugs like Taxotere, Eloxatine, Lantus, Apidra, Insuman, Epilim and Avil through its production base at Tongi, on the capital's outskirts.
In terms of shareholding, the Ministry of Industries (MoI) accounts for 25.396 per cent and state-owned Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) controls 19.962 per cent while the remaining 54.642 per cent is owned by the multinational company.
The year-on-year profit growth of the MNC has been hovering in between 5 to 8 per cent. It also holds around 2.0 per cent share of the growing local drug market that has been expanding at a double-digit rate, reaching around US$2.0 billion.
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