Worker unrest with unreasonable demands causing crisis in pharma industry: Drugmakers

Pharmaceutical industry leaders have said the recent unrest among workers in pharmaceutical companies, including holding officials hostage and making unreasonable demands, is causing harm to the sector. 

The unrest is part of a broader conspiracy to destroy the pharmaceutical industry, they said at a press conference in Dhaka today (3 September). 

If such incidents continue, companies may face closures, leading to a shortage of medicines in the country, Abdul Mukthadir, president of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, said at the event.

Mukthadir, also managing director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals, mentioned that Bangladesh usually has medicine stock for a month, which is depleting fast amid the unrest.

For two weeks, workers in various locations including Savar, Gazipur, and Mymensingh have been protesting with various demands, he said. On Tuesday, at least 20 company factories, including Square and Incepta, were closed due to these protests.

"After meeting one demand, workers continue to present new demands. This raises questions about whether this is part of a deliberate effort to destroy the pharmaceutical industry," said Mukthadir.

He added that workers are holding scientists and managers hostage, demanding that they sign documents or they will not be released. "Today, everyone at DBL Pharma was held captive. At Incepta Pharmaceuticals, nearly 400 staff members were kept confined from 7am to 3am."

He expressed confusion over why workers are bringing new demands and staging protests despite the industry's efforts over the past 50 years to advance the sector. 

Mukthadir said, "While discussions on demands can occur, violence is not a way to address them. We call on the government to ensure the safety of the industry. We seek protection and security for our sector."

He also suggested the government fix minimum salary for pharma workers. This could be a way to end the flurry of demands from all levels, he believes.

Zareen Karim, managing director of Orion Pharma, told The Business Standard that the industry never faced such challenges before, where managers are being held hostage to pressure for demands. 

"If factories shut down, it will lead to a medicine shortage in the country. We urge the government to give this matter top priority," she added.

Muhammad Halimuzzaman, CEO of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, reported that while he was speaking, his company's officials were being held hostage to sign off on demands. 

He added that workers are now demanding another salary increase, despite a recent raise just a week ago. "This is unjustifiable, and we urgently require security and protection," he said.