GSK closes Bangladesh manufacturing plant, sheds 1,000 workers

31-Jul-2018 - Last updated on 31-Jul-2018 at 14:07 GMT

(image:getty/rattasak)

GSK is shutting down its Bangladesh manufacturing plant in an effort to streamline its emerging market operations, laying off 1,000 employees in the process.

After reports of this closure spread among workers, protests occurred outside of the plant, according to local paper, DhakaTribune. The plant’s employee union stated that a vested quarter had been conspiring to close down the plant, and that production had stopped as of July 22. The union sought government intervention according to a local paper.

A GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) spokesperson told us, “Following a business review, GSK Bangladesh Limited is proposing the closure of the commercially unsustainable manufacturing and commercial operations of its pharmaceutical business unit.”

The closure will occur by the end of the year. GSK had previously announced that its emerging markets region will be part of an integrated operation with a different commercial structure.

“Bangladesh has a very vibrant and strong local pharmaceutical industry. All of our medicines are substitutable with generics and therefore, patients should be able to access a range of suitable alternatives,” said the GSK spokesperson.