The once famous Dada Match Factory of Khulna is in shambles. Following the shut down of the factory, most of its expensive equipments are out of order due to lack of supervision and attention.
Moreover, many equipments have been stolen as security measures of the factory is not satisfactory.
In this circumstance, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu is scheduled to visit the factory today. He would take decision about the future of the mill after going back to Dhaka. Khulna City Corporation has been directed to clean and prepare the factory for the minister’s visit, said Additional DC of Khulna Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain.
The long-standing factory was closed down on February 2010 on the face of financial crisis. In 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a rally in Khulna’s Khalishpur, announced to revive the factory under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC).
However, no concrete measures has been taken since then. Prime Minister’s assurance, efforts from ministries and local MPs and workers’ movement have remained all but fruitless.
It will be very difficult to kick off the factory with very few equipments and that too in dilapidated condition. Spare parts of various machineries have been long stolen. Parts stored in various storage spaces are also gone. Even the ceiling fans are not spared.
Khulna DC Anis Mahmud, in his defence, said the factory was not under the purview of the administration. He just followed government’s order to seal off the factory.
Meanwhile, labour leader of the factory Md Delwar Hossain Dilkhosh said, workers of the factory had been going through immense sufferings since the shut down.
Many workers died out of hunger and diseases in the last four years. Education of their children is also being hampered due to financial crisis.