Bangladesh apparel industry is all set to open a laboratory to test garment workers for COVID-19.
The facility is a joint collaboration between the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh.
The unit will test up to 180 samples daily, with two more labs due to open soon for the workers. “It’s a state-of-the-art lab and workers will get first preference here,” said Dr. Rubana Huq, President, BGMEA.
After a month’s break, 4,000 clothing factories that employ around 4 million people have started to reopen, with focus on following social distancing and other safety measures.
However, 276 new coronavirus cases have been reported among the garment workers according to the official data. The Government of Bangladesh is therefore appreciating the industry’s initiative on setting up the testing laboratories. “I want these labs to be used as much as possible,” said Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister, Bangladesh.
The NGOs working with garment workers believe that the latter could have had the viruses citing the low testing rate across the country. The workers with any symptoms and signs would be tested while the one who test positive will have to self-isolate.
