66 pc factory workers are yet to get Eid bonus

Reza Mahmud :
About 66 percent of factory, readymade garment and knitwear’s’ workers are yet to get their Eid bonus, sources said. As per the statistics, there are 9,176 factories in the country.
About 3,151 factory workers had received their’ wages and bonuses till Monday, transpiring that 34.34 percent of the factories of the country did not pay Eid bonuses to their workers.
Meanwhile, the rest of above six thousand of the industrial units, which was above 66 percent, failed to disburse bonuses and wages to their workers whereas, the Eid day is nearing.
But the leaders of the associations of the industries said that they hope that all payment will be disbursedbefore beginning of the Eid festival.
In a recent meeting comprising with the representatives from the government, factory owners and workers leaders have decided to pay bonus and half a month’s wages of the April to the workers before Eid ul Fitr.
Bangladesh Jatiya Garments Sromik League President Sirajul Islam Rony said that workers demonstrated in front of different factories recently for demanding Eid bonus.
“Such demonstrations were supposed not to take place, but has occurred because several RMG units failed to pay Eid bonus and wages to the workers in time,” the workers leader said.
He, however expressed hope that the owners will pay the arrears before Eid vacation.
When contacted, Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) told The New Nation, “In our account, about 86 pc of RMG factory owners have paid their workers Eid bonus till Monday. The percentage will be increased by Tuesday and will be completed before the Eid vacation.”
He said there were some problems facing several RMG factory owners. Now most of those problems were solved. So, the payment also will be clear within the time.
When contacted Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)’s Executive President Mohammad Hatem told The New Nation, “It may not be a problem to pay the Eid bonus before beginning the vacation.”
He said as our long tradition, the unit owners used to pay all arrears and bonus in the day of vacation starting.
Sources said, in the eight industrial zones, the numbers of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) enlisted factories are 1615 and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)’s member units are 685.
Besides, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) members have 338 factories. Bangladesh Exports Processing Zone included 148 factories and there are 83 jut mills are in the country.
Apart from these, there are 6,107 different industries in the country including medicines, home appliances, cell phones and others.