Following a report by Ekattor Television, the British American Tobacco (BAT) company allegedly obtained licenses for its factories overnight by claiming them as shops rather than manufacturing units. Investigations suggest that senior officials from the Dhaka Labor Department exerted influence, compelling the Kushtia office to grant these licenses. There are also claims that some officials were transferred or given “stand release” orders to facilitate BAT’s licensing. First part story by Sushanta singha.

BAT applied for these licenses for factories where hundreds of workers process tobacco leaves. The labor department approved the applications, treating the factories as “shops” rather than industrial units. Ekattor Television’s investigation reported that Additional Inspector General Arif Ahmed Khan visited BAT’s Kushtia factory from January 17–19. On January 18, after inspecting the plant, he reportedly had lunch at a luxury guesthouse hosted by BAT. Khan stated that his visit was purely to inspect the factory and that he did not influence the licensing decision.

Allegations also involve BAT’s then Kushtia plant manager, Mahbubul Alam Khan, who is related to Arif Ahmed Khan. Other BAT factories in Vadalia and Meherpur were reportedly reluctant to issue shop licenses, resulting in the local labor inspector, Shamsunnahar, being removed on March 3.

Critics, including Masud Iqbal from Dhaka Ahsania Mission, warned that unchecked BAT activities could threaten public health, and called for stricter enforcement and penalties.

BAT’s main factory in Kushtia is officially approved to operate only 125 days a year as a seasonal plant, but it reportedly runs year-round under the pretext of maintenance. A government investigation committee’s recommendations, due within 10 days, have not yet been released after two months.

Additionally, last October, BAT pledged to comply with 22 labor law violation points related to seasonal workers within 10 days but failed to implement them after five months. The company even claimed that labor department officials lacked knowledge of labor law, shifting blame away from itself.

There are serious allegations that the Labor Secretary prioritizes company interests over workers’ rights. Before becoming Labor Secretary, A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman reportedly ignored enforcement against BAT and other tobacco companies, even when these companies profited excessively from consumer exploitation.