Adviser Sakhawat: Army Chief spoke with full understanding

Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain, the interim government’s labor adviser, assured the public on Thursday that the Chief of Army Staff made his statements about the Pilkhana massacre with full understanding, emphasizing that no comments were made in haste or without clarity.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference at the Secretariat, Sakhawat Hossain addressed questions about the army chief‍‍`s comments made earlier this week during a special event at the Rawa Convention Hall in the capital. 

He said, "The Chief of Army Staff did not speak without understanding. From what I know of him, he is a very straightforward man. He speaks directly and openly to people. I am unable to provide any explanation about what he has or hasn’t said."

The adviser was also asked about the payment of dues to workers of Beximco Industrial Park, where 14 garment factories were recently shut down. Sakhawat reassured that the government has taken steps to ensure workers receive their payments. 

"The government has made arrangements to pay the necessary 525 crore taka to settle the dues of workers from the 14 closed Beximco factories. Payments will begin on March 9. Out of this amount, 325 crore taka will be provided by the Ministry of Finance through various banks, and the remaining balance will be covered by the Ministry of Labor," he explained.

Additionally, Sakhawat Hossain stated that any employees or officials involved in irregularities at Beximco would face consequences, saying,

“Action will be taken against any Beximco employees or officials found to be involved in irregularities.”