Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, is expected to be celebrated on 10 or 11 April, depending on the sighting of the moon. Before Eid more than 95% factories will pay wages and bonus to the workers.
The number of factories in the area under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Police is 9,467. Apart from this, there are also factories in the area under the jurisdiction of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
Of them, 416 factories are likely to face problems in paying wages and bonuses to their employees before Eid-ul-Fitr, according to a list prepared by the Industrial Police.
According to sources, of the factories, 171 are member factories of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), 71 are members of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers Association (BKMEA) and 29 are members of the Bangladesh Textile Mill Association (BTMA).
Regarding this issue, on 25 March, the Industrial Police held a meeting to discuss preparations for preventing any undesired problems regarding the payment of RMG workers’ salaries and Eid bonuses.
In a press statement issued after the meeting, the Industrial Police said, “If the owner of a garment fails to pay the salary and other allowance, we request that they find an alternative.”
Chief of Industrial Police Mahabubor Rahman said, “The list we have prepared might increase or decrease in the coming days. We are alert, we hope there will be no problem before Eid.”
Mohammad Hatem, Executive President of BKMEA said “Many factories do not have enough purchase orders. In addition, the Bangladesh Bank has not yet released a significant number of incentives. Due to this, some factories are facing problems paying salaries and bonuses.”
Faruque Hassan, outgoing president of BGMEA told TBS, “There is an impact of the increase in wages of RMG workers last December. At the same time, the facility of incentives has been reduced. Due to these reasons, it may be difficult for many factory owners to pay bonuses before Eid.”
Earlier on 20 March, State Minister for the Labour and Employment Ministry Nazrul Islam Chowdhury said, “Readymade garments (RMG) workers will get their salary for March and Eid bonuses before the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.”
In addition, before Eid, the Department of Labor, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, the industrial police, and intelligence agencies will work together to make sure everything runs smoothly in this nation’s biggest export industry, he added.
