Dhaka, May 3 -- Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Saturday blamed past misgovernance and political abuse for the failure of the country's industrial sector, stating that factory owners used to hold political power and parliamentary positions, leading to exploitation rather than fair governance.

"Many ministers and MPs of the former regime, who also won factories, fled abroad without paying workers' wages. Their assets, including houses, cars and land, are being liquidated to compensate the workers," the adviser said while speaking at a shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy on labour rights.

He said efforts are underway to issue red alert via Interpol to bring back absconding owners who esc...