Synovia Pharma PLC authorities are seeking intervention from the government for the atrocities at their headquarters by the ex-employees.
They broke in and vandalized the properties and harmed innocent employees, despite of court orders. Synovia Pharma PLC authorities alleged this on Tuesday, at a press conference held at Wings Center in Dhanmondi.
Former employees of Synovia Pharma entered the company's headquarters, assaulted the employees, and caused property damage on August 7, two days after the resignation and flight of the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in the face of a student-led job quota reform movement.
In response to this situation, the company officials held a press conference, on Tuesday appealing to the Home Advisor and law enforcement agencies for justice.
The written statement at the press conference was presented by Synovia Pharma's Chief Operating Officer, Muin Uddin Majumder. Syed Masudul Hasan, Head of HR, Syed A. B. Tahmid, Marketing Director, Golam Rabbani Akand, CFO, and Renessa Ahmed, Director of Business Operation and Support were also present at the event
The written statement revealed that on August 7, more than 150 former employees forcibly entered the company's headquarters, defying court orders, and attacked the employees, causing property damage. These former employees are now gathered in front of the company's premises, disrupting its daily operations and making it challenging to ensure the supply of essential and life-saving medicines to patients.
Muin Uddin Majumder stated, "In this situation, we demand through the journalists present here that the law enforcement agencies and the Home Advisor take action against this illegal activity and ensure appropriate justice."
The press conference also highlighted that during the employee strike in September 2021, the former Sanofi Group completed its share transfer. As a result, the company began operating under new management from October 2021. The new management urged the striking employees to return to work, and while significant number reach, others refrained from joining. Consequently, the company was forced to stop their salaries from January 2022 and began hiring new employees.
He further mentioned, "In addition to the case filed in the Labor Court, two more cases have already been filed. The two new cases are currently under trial in the Supreme Court. All three cases are ongoing."
The Government of Bangladesh owns 45.4% percent of the company's shares of which Bangladesh Chemical Industry Corporation has 20% and Ministry of Industry has 25.4%. BCIC chairman also the chairman of the board of Synovia pharma.
It is also noteworthy that in 2021, the Paris-based multinational company Sanofi Group informed its employees of its decision to withdraw ownership from Bangladesh, which led to a strike of 300 employees out of the company's total of 900. During the strike, they demanded substantial compensation from the Sanofi Group due to the ownership withdrawal. However, Sanofi Group refused to meet their unreasonable demands, leading the striking employees to file a lawsuit in the Labor Court.
Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited of the Beximco Group, acquired majority stake of Sanofi on October 1, 2021 and renamed it Synovia Pharma PLC. Salman F Rahman Former Adviser on private industry and investment to the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, is the Vice President of the Beximco Group.
