Over 26pc factories yet to pay April wages

Some 26.35 per cent of factories under the jurisdiction of Industrial Police located at different industrial zones across the country, especially in Ashulia, Gazipur and Narayanganj, are yet to pay the wages for the month of April.

According to Industrial Police data, some 10,238 factories in eight industrial zones, namely Ashulia, Gazipur, Chattogram, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Khulna, Cumilla and Sylhet, are in operation under its jurisdiction except Dhaka Metropolitan City.

Out of those 10, 238 units, some 2698 factories, including 1947 non-RMG and the remaining 751 are textile and garment units, did not pay wages for the month of April until Saturday, data showed.

The non-payment rate is higher 57.30 per cent for factories located in Narayanganj, followed by 42.93 per cent in Ashulia and 26.62 per cent in Mymensingh and 22.54 per cent in Gazipur.

Over 22 per cent or 395 factories out of 1790 listed with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and 225 units or 31.78 per cent out of 708 registered Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and 123 Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) members out of 382 are yet to pay April wages.

Eight factories under BEPZA and seven jute mills also did not pay April wages until Saturday, IP data showed.

Meanwhile, labour leaders at a recent tripartite consultative committee meeting warned that non-payment of wages in factories ahead of Eid-ul-Adha might create labourunrest in the industrial zones.

Labour minister ArifulHaqueChowdhury on last Thursday directed all factory owners to pay festival allowance by May 21 and make monthly wage payment timely in line with the labour law to avert any untoward situation.

During the TCC meeting, labour leaders also sought the government’s intervention against the factory authorities that are yet to pay dues and monthly wages on time.

Following the factory owners’ demand, the government has recently released Tk 1500 crore in cash incentives the fourth tranche of export subsidy for the country’s 43 sectors exporters for the fiscal year of 2025-26.

The cash incentive programme continues to cover key export-oriented sectors, including ready-made garments, frozen shrimp and fish, leather goods, and jute products, ranging from 0.30 per cent to 10 per cent for various categories of exportable goods.