The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) and the Department of Labor (DoL) have filed three cases in the Rangpur Labor Court against British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, alleging extensive violations of the Bangladesh Labor Act at the company’s tobacco factories in Rangpur and Gaibandha, in the northern part of the country. Report by Sushanta K. Singha, Special Correspondent, Ekattor Television, Dhaka
According to DIFE, the BAT tobacco leaf factory in Palashbari upazila, Gaibandha, has been operating without a government license, factory registration, or an approved layout plan. Investigators reported that the facility has been functioning in violation of Section 28 of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006.
Officials stated that workers at the factory are not provided appointment letters, while many permanent positions are filled by laborers supplied through unlicensed contractors. Inspectors also found that the factory does not maintain attendance, leave, wage, or accident registers, depriving workers of legally mandated wages and benefits.
For these violations—covering 28 sections of the labor law—cases have been filed against BAT Managing Director Monisha Abraham, Regional Leaf Manager Nur Alam, and Company Secretary Syed Afzal Hossain.
Mahafuzur Rahman Bhuiyan, Joint Inspector General of DIFE, confirmed, “Every factory, whether national or multinational, must fully comply with the Bangladesh Labor Act.”
Similar irregularities were detected at BAT’s Rangpur factory, where inspectors reported misuse of the Workers’ Welfare Fund and the engagement of contractor-supplied workers in positions meant for permanent employees. For 16 additional labor law violations, DIFE filed another case in the Rangpur Labor Court against the Managing Director and two other senior officials.
Authorities further reported that BAT failed to form a Worker–Employer Participation Committee, despite repeated instructions from labor officials. The Department of Labor has filed a separate case regarding this violation.
Iqbal Masud, Director (Health & WASH) at Ahsania Mission and a prominent tobacco control activist, said, “It is very unfortunate that such gross violations are continuing, factory after factory, at BAT Bangladesh. The government’s action is timely, and strict punishment is necessary.”
The Rangpur Labor Court has scheduled hearings for 24 November and 12 December. Meanwhile, cases related to labor law violations at BAT’s Kushtia factories remain under trial in the Khulna Labor Court.
