Opex Sinha to pay workers’ dues by Nov

The Opex Sinha Group, an export oriented apparel maker, is planning to pay their workers’ dues and retirement benefits by November this year. Hit hard by a cash crunch, the company management had announced the closure of its factories on October 19, 2021.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (BGMEA) Vice President Md Nasir Uddin disclosed the matter on Sunday. At its height at the turn of the 21st century, the group raked in $500 million in annual turnover and employed around 45,000 people.

Speaking to The Business Post, Nasir said, “In line with the Labor and Employment Ministry’s directive, we are working to pay the dues and retirement benefits to the workers.

“The BGMEA – collaborating with company management as a part of this initiative – is working on different possible ways to get the funds needed, as the company was facing a severe cash crisis that led to its closure.”

A senior official of the Opex Sinha Group said, “We are trying to get funds from different sources to run the factory again after settling workers’ payment issues. If this becomes impossible, the management may sell properties to pay the workers’ dues.”

Meanwhile, General Manager (policy) of Opex Sinha Group Md Abu Zafor said, “During the factory closure, there was no shortage of work orders from the global buyers. Our crisis was triggered by workers’ unrest centring on the non-payment of wages.

“We have plans to restart the factories. The workers will be paid through funds collected from other sources without selling company property.”