Additional police forces have been deployed at the export processing zones (EPZs) in Chittagong to ward off any possible labourer unrest over timely payment of salaries and festival allowances in the apparel industries here ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. In line with a government announcement, every apparel industry will have to pay salaries and festival allowances within July 14. A meeting was held in this regard on June 21 consisting representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA), Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) and Industrial Police. CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondal during the meeting requested the ready-made garments (RMG) factory owners to pay all arrears and allowances by July 15 to avoid labourer unrest. Meanwhile, several hundred RMG workers of Glory Industries Ltd in Bayezid area observed a sit-in programme on last Thursday demanding their outstanding salary and bonus ahead of the ensuing Eid, the largest religious festival of Muslims. They also put up barricades on the roads adjacent to the factory, bringing traffic to a halt for about two hours. Director of Chittagong Industrial Police Tofayel Ahmed Mia said they have already prepared a list of defaulter factories having no membership of the BGMEA at all and are running on sub-contract basis “These factories also have previous records of not paying workers’ wages in time as they have no work orders,” he said, adding that they took necessary measures to avert any form of violence this time. He further said, “We’re also going to hold meetings with the owners of those listed factories in this regard.” General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha, Chittagong M Mamun said only 30 per cent RMG factories abide by the minimum salary structure set by the wage board. Sources in the BGMEA said at present 750 factory owners in Chittagong are members of the organisation. Of the total, they said, only 400 factories are running productions employing around 5,00,000 people. BGMEA has directed all its members to clear up outstanding wages and allowances in time to avert any untoward situation.
