Salary, bonus paid in 100% RMG factories: BGMEA president

Hundred per cent of readymade garment factories have paid the festival allowance and the salary for April to their workers as per the government decision, said Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

"Eid holidays have been provided in 100% of the factories," he said, adding garment workers are now going home to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones.

According to Industrial Police said as of 8pm Saturday, 96% of factories from all sectors including the RMG industry have cleared the Eid bonus to their workers and 83% of April's partial salary as per the government's direction.  

The BGMEA boss expressed his gratitude to all concerned including workers, owners, law enforcement agencies, and labour leaders for extending their support and cooperation in this regard.

He particularly thanked the RMG entrepreneurs for paying salaries and bonuses to their workers despite having many difficulties.

"As per the directions of the prime minister, the home minister and the minister of state for labour and employment, factory owners have staggered holidays zone-wise on different dates, resulting in less pressure of traffic on highways than previous occasions, as per media reports," Faruque Hassan said.

"Eid holidays have started in garment factories since last Wednesday and garment workers have been leaving for their villages since then. It's hoped all garment workers will leave by today," he added.

He thanked the government for taking various steps, especially managing the construction works of the development projects without interrupting the flow of vehicular movement, to reduce traffic congestion on the highways and ensure easy and safe travel of garment workers during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

He also requested the government to complete the development projects in the shortest possible time to accelerate the economic growth of the country.

He expressed hope that the completion of the development projects would significantly improve the traffic situation on the highways and people would be able to travel more smoothly.

He said the Covid situation is better this year than that in the last two years. Hence more workers are going home to celebrate Eid with their families this year.

"We wish every worker and the owner would reach home safely and celebrate Eid with their families," he added.

The BGMEA president urged all homebound people, including garment workers – to follow health safety rules such as wearing masks.

He also requested the government authorities concerned to intensify monitoring to ensure that buses, trains and launches plying on different routes do not carry extra passengers and avoid any untoward accidents on the way home for Eid.