Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders are hopeful that most of the factory owners will be able to pay wages and bonus to their workers on time ahead of the Eid-ul-fitre.
Differing with BGMEA, the worker leaders alleged that as per the information they so far have received, the number of the factory owners who will fail to pay wages and bonus is not too less.
“We have asked all the garment owners to pay wages of the month of June by July 10 next and Eid bonus by July 15 next,” said Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President of BGMEA.
“We have information that a total of 74 garment factories in Dhaka and Chittagong may fail pay wages of June and festival allowance to their workers,” he added.
Of these factories, 29 are in Dhaka and its adjacent areas while the rest 45 are in Chittagong district, he informed referring data of the Detective Branch and the BGMEA.
He, however, declined to mention the name of the factories.
He said that the BGMEA is monitoring the over situation of the apparel industry through its eight directors of eight zones. The apex trade body will take steps if any owner is found showing negligence in this regard.
Sirajul Islam Rony, President of Bangladesh National Garment Srameek Karmachari League said that the number of vulnerable factories would be 300 to 350 and the BGMEA should be active right now to avert any such ‘irregularities’.
It was seen in the past that chaotic situation usually takes place in the garment industry before any religious occasion over non-payment of wages and bonus.
Last year, the workers of the five apparel units of Tuba Group had to wage fast-unto-death programme one day before the Eid-ul-Fitre demanding wages and Eid bonus.
Shahidullah Azim said that they are more careful this year to avert such untoward incident this year.
Asked about the payment situation of the vulnerable factories, the BGMEA leader said they are repeatedly asking the factory owners to pay wages and bonus as per the given time.
Sirajul Islam Rony said that the workers will come down to the street if they do not get wages and bonus on time.
