ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ২৬ মে ২০২৬
Sushanta Singha, Special Correspondent of Ekattor Television, has won first prize in the television category for his investigative series exposing violations of 45 clauses and sub-clauses of labor law in 11 unauthorized factories operated by British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) in Kushtia.
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the award and certificate were presented at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government. The awards were distributed as part of the Ministry of Labor’s program commemorating both International Workers’ Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day.
Between November 29 and December 3, 2024, Singha’s investigative reports revealed that BATB had been operating factories in Kushtia for years without government approval. His reports showed that 11 out of the company’s 12 factories in the region were functioning without any legal registration or authorization. Furthermore, the company was found to be operating its GLTP factory nearly year-round, despite being approved only for 125 days as a seasonal facility.
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) confirmed violations of 45 clauses of labor law, including forcing employees to work on weekly holidays.
This year, for the first time, the Ministry of Labor and Employment jointly observed May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day. DIFE also organized a nationwide award and essay competition to highlight labor rights and workplace conditions.
In addition to recognizing 19 students from various academic levels, Dr. Yunus presented awards to nine journalists across television, print, and photojournalism categories.
In the television category, Sushanta Singha of Ekattor TV took first place, followed by Rakib Manik of Asian Television in second place, and Yasir Arafat of Jago News24 in third. Winners in the print category were also announced.
In response to Singha’s exposé and the subsequent verification of the violations, DIFE has filed a lawsuit against BATB’s Managing Director and three other senior officials. On Tuesday, April 28, 2025, Labor Inspector (General) Md. Farjun Islam filed the case at the Khulna Division Labor Court.
The four accused officials are: Monisha Abraham, Managing Director; Jorge Luis Macedo, Head of Operations; Syed Afzal Hossain, Company Secretary and Senior Legal Counsel; Mukit Ahmed Chowdhury, Plant Manager.
