The government will settle outstanding salaries and benefits for over 27,000 laid-off workers of Beximco Group within this month, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain announced yesterday.

Speaking after a meeting at the shipping ministry, Hussain stated that the funds may come from government sources or the sale of Beximco’s assets.

A final decision is expected at a meeting on 18 February, where bank representatives will be present.

The government is attempting to sell shares of Beximco’s profitable units but may face challenges in selling shares owned by the group’s owners, he said. Two of the group’s companies will be sold to fund payments for workers at 13 production units.

Beximco Group, burdened with over Tk 40,000 crore in loans, owes Janata Bank Tk 23,285 crore, along with significant debts to other banks. Of its 32 textile and apparel subsidiaries, 16 reportedly exist only on paper.

Regarding employment opportunities, Hussain noted that skilled workers should find jobs easily, as internal migration in Bangladesh’s garment sector ranges from 7 to 8 percent per month. However, the government will still assist in job placement.

Meanwhile, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin stated that edible oil prices may drop in the next 7 to 10 days as imports are being cleared from Chattogram port.