Bangladesh Government has allocated a Coronavirus bailout package of Taka 50 billion to pay the workers’ wages for all export-oriented sectors of the country.
Keeping the same in consideration, the country’s central bank, the Bangladesh Bank, has asked businesses to open mobile financial service (MFS) accounts of the workers.
Also Read: BB instructs factories to open workers’ MFS account for salary disbursement
“The central bank has asked the authorities concerned to open the MFS accounts to provide salaries and allowances for the workers and employees from the stimulus package, announced by the Government,” underlined a circular issued by the Bangladesh Bank instructing all export-oriented industries and factories to do the needful by 20 April to ensure smooth disbursal of salaries and allowances for the workers.
However, as per a survey by the country’s apex garment makers’ body, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), around 76 per cent garment factories pay wages through cash, while 11 per cent through multiple models.
This has now reportedly emerged as a major roadblock towards workers’ salary disbursement as only 9 per garment units reportedly pay the workers through MFS and 4 per cent through banks, claimed media reports.
“MFS is not a choice for us any longer,”underlined BGMEA President Dr. Rubana Huq speaking to the media while underlining that MFS or bank accounts would further help the workers to avoid the hassle of collecting salary from his/her workplace.
