He made these remarks during a press briefing in Rajshahi on Saturday following a meeting with labour officials, employees and trade union leaders.

“Some people created factories just to move money abroad. They took loans from banks, siphoned off funds and fled the country. I’m not responsible for those factory closures,” said Sakhawat.

He added, “If our factories weren’t operational, how could we have achieved 7–8% export growth?”

He noted that many factory owners continue to operate ethically, paying workers on time and ensuring proper working conditions. “There are good owners too, who’ve never defaulted. They are looking after their workers and their factories are running successfully,” he said.

Addressing recent labour protests, Sakhawat acknowledged the workers’ right to demonstrate. “Anyone can take to the streets to demand their rights; workers and even myself. That’s a democratic right.”

He also emphasized the need for democratic reforms within labour unions. “In many trade unions, one person holds leadership for years without elections. In Ministry of Shipping alone, one individual has been in charge for 27 years, virtually permanent. That’s not how it should be,” he noted, adding that elections are necessary to ensure transparent and accountable leadership.

Earlier in the day, the adviser inaugurated a research conference at the same venue.

During his address, he highlighted the dire conditions faced by tea garden workers, particularly women, due to the lack of basic sanitation. “It’s inhumane that there are no toilets in the tea estates. Women are developing cancer due to such conditions. They don’t even have access to clean drinking water. This situation cannot continue,” he said.

The event was attended by Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Omar Md. Imrul Mohsin and Deputy Inspector General of Rajshahi Division Jahangir Alam, among others.