In 2025, Novartis Bangladesh wound up its shares and left the country. After the sale of its shares, 45 long-serving employees of Novartis were terminated without any notice or compensation. In my story, I revealed how Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited violated labor laws at multiple stages of the process.

Details of my news:

Switzerland-based pharmaceutical multinational Novartis exited Bangladesh in 2025 after selling its 60% stake in its local joint venture to Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited. The remaining 40% stake is held by the state-owned Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC). Following the share transfer in September 2025, the company was renamed Navian Life Sciences.

After the ownership change, the new management allegedly terminated 45 long-serving employees without prior notice, severance, or due process, raising serious allegations of violations of Bangladesh’s labor laws. According to the affected employees and government officials, the dismissals were carried out without following the legal procedures required for termination or retrenchment.

The workers also claim they were not provided with release or clearance letters, effectively preventing them from seeking new employment. As a result, many of the dismissed employees say they are facing severe financial hardship.

The dispute was taken to court, and the High Court accepted a writ petition filed by the employees. Following the court’s directive, the Ministry of Labour held several meetings to resolve the issue. However, the majority shareholder, Radiant Pharmaceuticals, has reportedly failed to comply with government recommendations or address the alleged labor law violations.

Despite the government holding a 40% stake through BCIC, officials say their authority to enforce the decision is limited, as the share transfer agreement was primarily between Novartis and Radiant. Meanwhile, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments has warned that punitive action may be taken against Navian Life Sciences for failing to implement government directives related to labor law compliance.

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