Govt plans to set up new industries, reopen all closed mills, factories: Barua

Industries Minister Dilip Barua on Sunday said the government would reopen the Chittagong Chemical Complex (CCC) on April 24 as part of the government's plan of reopening all mills and factories closed down during the previous governments.He mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her recent meeting at the Industries Ministry directed for taking steps to reopening the closed down mills and factories across the country for the greater interest of nation and workers.

The Industries Minister made the announcement while speaking as chief guest at the National Representative Conference of Building Construction Workers Union, Bangladesh (BCWUB) held at Tajul Auditorium of Moni Singh-Farhad Trust Building in city's Purana Paltan.

Barua said: "It became a common culture in Bangladesh during the tenure of BNP-Jamat alliance government to shut down mills and factories but the present government wants to introduce a new culture of establishing new industries and reopening the closed mills and factories."

Alleging that an evil force is trying to create anarchy in the country, he urged all to work together for economic development.

"The present government headed by Sheikh Hasina is a pro-people and workers-friendly government. Let's face all conspiracies jointly," he said calling upon all to strengthen the hands of Sheikh Hasina for the real development of the country.The Industries Minister said workers had long been engaged in movement in support of their various logical demands but such demands were never met and the workers are still helpless. "Even after 38 years of independence the workers are deprived of their rights. They can't bear their children's educational expenses, even they can't ensure necessary treatment of their dependants," he said.

Barua said the workers of the building construction sector have also a role to play in translating the dream of 'Digital Bangladesh'.

Earlier, the BCWUB placed a set of demands to the government that includes introducing rationing for them, construction of Building Construction Workers Colony by the government at district and upazila levels and proper healthcare services.Bangladesh Trade Union Center (TUC) general secretary Dr Wazedul Islam Khan and poet Ruby Rahman MP also addressed the meeting, chaired by BCWUB president Rabiul Islam.