He also warned that he would "launch a movement" against Karnaphuli Insurance if they do not pay up.

Speaking at a rally of the Garments Workers Coordination Council on Friday, the minister said, "Karnaphuli Insurance is trying to misappropriate the insurance opened by the owner."

Tazreen, a factory owned by Tuba Group, burned down in November 2013, killing 112 people. Hundreds were injured.

According to media reports the insurer has declined to pay any claims, saying it was not an accident.

"We sat with Karnaphuli several times but they could not give us any evidential documents. If necessary, we'll launch a movement against them to give us the money, with which we'll reopen the Tuba factories," Shajahan said.

Media reports say the shipping minister and the state minister for labour have promised Delwar they will get Karnaphuli to pay the Tk 180 million claim.

Tuba owner Delwar Hossain was jailed in a case of negligent homicide after the Tazreen fire.

In July, while workers of his other factories were on a long strike demanding three months of unpaid salaries and benefits, and a death penalty for him, Delwar got out on bail promising to pay the salaries.

But he closed all five factories. The workers committee formed during that strike are now protesting for the factories to be reopened.

Shajahan distanced himself and the council from these protesters, saying, "Some people are trying to use the workers unrest to unseat the government."

However, he said he wanted to see the Tuba Group factories reopened.

"We need to find out who brought the Tuba owner out of jail by misleading the workers," he added.