Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury spoke at a view-sharing meeting at the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner's conference room today. Photo: PID

GAZIPUR, April 22, 2026 (BSS) - Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury today urged factory owners to settle workers' wages and bonuses within the stipulated time.

He made the call at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room in Gazipur.

The meeting was organized to discuss overall stability in the industrial area and issues related to wages and bonuses ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

The minister also directed intelligence agencies and local administration to remain on highest alert so that no unscrupulous group or miscreant can create any untoward situation during Eid.

He instructed law enforcement agencies to prepare lists of floating and identified criminals and bring them under the law promptly.

He further said that to maintain a stable and congenial environment in Gazipur's industrial zone, local Members of Parliament, district administration, district police, industrial police and intelligence agencies must work in close coordination.

Speakers at the meeting discussed in detail the overall law and order situation in the labour-intensive areas of Gazipur. To ensure uninterrupted production in industrial zones, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan (Babu) sought government support in ensuring diesel supply for factory generators.

In response, the minister instructed the administration and owners' associations to display public notices at petrol pumps mentioning the names of factories and their allocated diesel quantities for public awareness. He also assured that he would discuss with the relevant authorities to keep load shedding at a tolerable level in industrial areas.

The meeting was chaired by Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan. Members of Parliament from Gazipur-5, Gazipur-1, and Gazipur-3 constituencies and District Council Administrator Chowdhury Ishrak Ahmed attended as special guests.

Among others , the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka, the Director General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, and the Director General of the Department of Labour, along with senior officials were present. Presidents of BGMEA and BKMEA, senior intelligence officials, officers from Gazipur Metropolitan Police, district police, industrial police, as well as leaders of factory owners' and workers' organizations also attended the meeting.