Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Workers of the readymade garment (RMG) industry will be able to observe the ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr in a festive mode with their near and dear ones as most of the factory owners have already paid salaries and festival bonus.
“We’re happy to inform that most of the garment owners already paid salaries and festival bonus to their workers. So, we hope workers would be able to observe the festival in a joyous mode,” M Atiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told a press conference in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday.
The BGMEA arranged the press conference to let the media know about garment industry’s labour situation in its conference room.
Mr. Atiqul said the BGMEA, in cooperation with the government, have taken adequate preparations in advance so that the garment workers get salaries, Eid bonus and dues ahead of the Eid.
Garment owners and BGMEA leaders formed 15 teams to monitor overall labour situation in the industry, he said adding that the teams have worked in nine zones of the sector.
“Even we have resolved the problems of those factories, which are not BGMEA and BKMEA members,” he noted.
The BGMEA chief said a total of 927 factories were brought under close monitoring apprehending that problems relating to salaries and bonus of the workers may be created.
BGMEA has inspected 942 factories, of which, 935 paid salaries and dues on time, he said.
But, he said, some factories were found problematic due to irrational demands of workers including extension of Eid vacation and extra bonus.
BBN/SSR/AD-07Aug13-9:28 pm (BST)
