A travel ban has been imposed on Tuesday to 12 factory owners for not paying wages and bonuses to their workers, according to Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser for ministry of Sports and Youth of the interim government of Bangladesh.

”They must pay workers’ wages even if it means selling their assets”, said Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said on Tuesday.

The information was confirmed through a facebook post of Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.

Earlier, Sakhawat said at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday noon, ”Legal action will be taken against those who fail to pay wages within the stipulated time.”

Criticising some factory owners, he said, ”Many of them spend on luxury cars, Eid shopping and overseas trips while their workers struggle to receive wages in time. This is unacceptable.”

He urged workers to raise their concerns, assuring them that authorities would take action against any unjust demands from employers.

Sakhawat also revealed that 12 factories are facing various financial issues, with five of them having significant outstanding dues.

”We are in discussions with them to resolve these matters,” he added.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over wage delays in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which employs millions of workers and remains a key driver of Bangladesh’s economy.