Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The readymade garment owners have agreed to clear salaries, festival bonus and other financial benefits of the workers before the upcoming Eid-ul Fitr to avoid any unrest of labours.
The assurance came from a meeting held at the Home Ministry in the capital Dhaka on Thursday with Home Minister Shahara Khatun in the chair.
“We’ve agreed to clear all payments, including wage and festival bonus before the Eid,” President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) told the reporters’ after the meeting.
Mr. Mohiuddin also sought intervention of the minister to keep the commercial banks open on the holidays as well as a day before the Eid festival to facilitate the country’s highest foreign currency earning sector.
International Secretary of Jatiyo Sramik Federation Bangladesh Quamrul Ahsan, who took part in the meeting, told BBN that the apparel manufacturers promised to clear the workers’ salary before August 15.
“Festival allowances and other financial benefits including overtime bills to be paid within August 18 to ensure peaceful Eid celebration by workers,” he added.
Sahara Khatun ordered the industrial police force to step up its vigilance at the apparel industrial parks to stem any possible incident of violence.
Director General of Industrial Police Abdus Salam said they have called upon the owners to stay at the factory office during Ramadan so that they can instantly communicate with them if there is any possibility of unrest.
The parliamentary committee also decided to open one or more control rooms comprising representatives of the police, transport workers, fire brigade, Titas Gas, power department and the Ministry of Labour to ensure smooth traffic movements on the highways.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku, Home senior secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed, governing representatives of BGMEA and BKMEA, senior police and intelligence officials were also present at the meeting.
BBN/SSR/AD-27July12-10:10 am (BST)
