Renata generosity  

Renata Limited, one of Bangladesh’s leading pharmaceutical companies, has announced that it will continue paying the salary and benefits of an employee who died in a road accident for the next 29 years, covering the remaining period until his retirement.

Mohammad Asaduz-zaman, 31, worked as a medical representative for the company in Moulvibazar. He died in a motorcycle accident in Kulaura around 11am on August 19 while travelling to work, according to his family.

A father of three, Asaduzzaman would have continued working until the age of 60, the company's retirement age. Renata has decided to provide his family with his monthly salary and benefits for the next 29 years, including annual increments and bonuses.

Renata General Manager Sakhawat Hossain announced the decision while attending Asaduzzaman's funeral prayer. A video of his announcement has recently gone viral on social media.

The company's Head of Human Resources, Nisbat Anwar, confirmed the decision to a Bengali newspaper, saying that the initiative was not new for Renata. The company had previously continued monthly salary payments to the families of several employees who died in accidents while in service.

However, the latest announcement attracted wider public attention because of its circulation on social media, she said.

Asaduzzaman hailed from Airamari Village under Binodpur Union in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. His family includes his elderly parents, wife and three children.

He had a 10-year-old son, Akib, from his first marriage, which ended in divorce. With his second wife, Sundari Khatun, he had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Simi, and a four-month-old son, Siam.

Quoting his uncle, Yusuf Ali, the newspaper reported that a Renata official had assured the family that although Asaduzzaman was no longer physically present, he would remain associated with the company institutionally.

"The company assured us that his family would receive his salary and benefits every month," he said.

Abdul Hannan, a local teacher assisting the family with documentation, said Renata had asked them to visit Dhaka next Saturday to complete the necessary formalities. The family has yet to decide how the payments will be distributed among its members.

"An organisation grows with its employees. We consider our employees part of our family, and it is our responsibility to stand by them and their families," Nisbat said.