Clear workers’ dues before Eid
Minister of Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury has directed the owners all industrial factories to pay workers’ outstanding wages and Eid bonuses before the holidays.
He said the authorities concerned must remain vigilant to ensure workers’ dues are paid without complication under any circumstances, warning that action will be taken if payments are delayed, reports media.
The directive came at a high-level meeting held at the adviser’s official residence on Bailey Road on Friday, where participants discussed measures to address labour unrest in the ready-made garment (RMG) and non-RMG sectors.
At the meeting, he announced that a list of “risky” factories, categorised by parliamentary constituency, would be compiled and sent to the respective Members of Parliament (MPs). These MPs are expected to engage directly with factory authorities to ensure the swift disbursement of arrears and bonuses. He also directed officials to coordinate with banks that may be hesitant to provide loans, despite standing instructions from Bangladesh Bank, to ensure that necessary credit is available for wage payments. He also ordered the preparation of a list of absconding owners and their factories to prevent any “unpleasant incidents” at those sites.
Addressing reports that certain labour leaders are allegedly inciting workers to create chaos within the industrial sector, the Minister stated that these individuals would be brought under control through the intervention of local MPs. He further assured that the officials and staff of the Ministry of Labour and Employment remain ready to provide any assistance, adding that he is personally available via telephone to address workers’ needs at any time. During the meeting, Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said that out of 2,127 factories operating in Dhaka and Chittagong, 1,964 factories had paid February salaries, while 1,535 factories had already paid Eid bonuses. He clarified that while paying March salaries is not mandatory, some parties are inciting workers to demand them.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that out of 834 factories nationwide, 512 had paid February salaries and 604 had paid Eid bonuses. He expressed confidence that no labour unrest would occur, given that the majority of factories have fulfilled their payment obligations.
