Over 1,278 garment factories in Bangladesh have yet to pay their workers’ Eid bonuses, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). Out of a total of 2,092 factories, only 814 have completed the bonus payments so far, leaving approximately 61.09 per cent or 1,278 factories still outstanding with just over a week remaining before Eid-Ul-Adha.
The Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, recently issued a warning that garment workers must receive their Eid bonuses by May and their salaries between 1st and 3rd June. Despite the incomplete payments, the BGMEA remains optimistic, with its officials expressing confidence that member factories will meet the upcoming deadlines.
Md Anwar Hossain, government-appointed Administrator to BGMEA, stated, “We have a deadline to clear the bonus by 31st May. We hope that the bonus and salary will be settled within the stipulated time. The ratio of payments is expected to improve in the coming days.”
In addition to the bonus payments, 30 garment factories are still overdue on their April salaries. Notably, two factories, Hong Kong Fashion Ltd and Hagh Knit Wear Ltd, both located in Gazipur, have not paid their March salaries. Some factories, including Bashundhara Garments Ltd in Sarabo of Kashimpur and Shadhin Garments Ltd near Gazipur’s bypass area, have been closed for months, contributing to ongoing payment issues.
Md Anwar Hossain attributed the unpaid salaries primarily to certain firms, mentioning TMZ and several other garment factories as being behind on their wage payments.
