Although “over 100 firms have yet to pay their workers’ February salaries,” industry insiders report, leaders in the apparel industry and top officials from the industrial police are optimistic about clearing the monthly payments and Eid bonuses for workers before the vacation.
As per labour rules, factory owners are obligated to pay their workers within the first seven working days of March, as wage payments have already started.
Leaders in the apparel sector have stated that they are making an effort to pay their employees before the Eid break, particularly in light of the government holidays that start on April 10.
To prevent gridlock and chaos on the roads, festival leave will, however, begin on April 7 in many ready-to-wear manufacturers.
According to a recent report from the Industrial Police, 271 textile and garment manufacturers may need help paying their workers’ bonuses and wages before Eid-ul-Fitr.
Since last week, workers at some factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur have been demonstrating in protest, demanding pay and incentives for Eid.
According to BKMEA Executive President Muhammad Hatem, more than 100 factories that are part of both the BGMEA and BKMEA have not been able to pay their employees’ salaries for February.
He went on to say that just the salary of its employees will require roughly Taka 5,600 crore from the apparel sector. But the amount of monetary incentives granted by the government was merely Taka 2,000 crore.
He continued to state that garment exporters requested financial incentives of roughly Taka 6,000 crore.
The factory owners will be able to pay March salaries and Eid bonuses if the government releases at least an additional Taka 2,000 crore, according to Hatem.
