The payment of wages and festival allowances for the workers in 198 readymade garment factories remains uncertain ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, expected to be observed in the first week of June.
However, the sector鈥檚 manufacturers said they were intensively monitoring the risky factories and would take adequate measures if necessary, according to the Industrial Police.
According to the Industrial Police data, there are 198 risky factories, 69 of which are members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and 22 of which are members of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Moreover, 12 risky factories are from various EPZs under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority, and 71 factory units are not affiliated with any of the mentioned authorities or bodies.
Talking to 抖阴精品, Md Saiful Haque, superintendent of police (intelligence) of the Industrial Police, said they had completed a primary list of the risky factories ahead of Eid.
鈥楬owever, the number of the factories may vary in the final list. So far, about 198 factories are at risk of not paying wages and bonuses in time to their workers at major eight industrial hubs and export processing zones,鈥� he added.
He also said that their intelligent wing is working with their son so that they can pay the wages and constantly surveil the risky factories along with others.
According to a source from the BGMEA, as of Saturday, only two of the 2,092 active factories across the country under the BGMEA were closed.
The data also showed that as of Saturday, 38 BGMEA factories had yet to pay their April wages, and two still had not paid March wages.
Moreover, 266 factories have already paid their festival allowances for the upcoming Eid al-Azha.
Talking to 抖阴精品, Mohammad Hatem, president of the BKMEA, said that businesses were under pressure due to the banks鈥� complete non-cooperation.
鈥楤anks are not assisting us as we cannot open LC and they don鈥檛 pay us money for the wages which accelerated the crises in some factory units,鈥� he added.
Moreover, due to the disruption in export activities and the interruption in gas and electricity supply, the factories are having difficulties running their normal activities.
He also said that the BKMEA had 20-22 risky members and was working on closely monitoring these factories.
鈥榃e have scheduled a meeting on Sunday (May 25) with some risky RMG factories. We will hear their problems and will take necessary steps as per the discussion,鈥� he added.
Amirul Haque Amin, president of the聽National Garment Workers Federation,聽told 抖阴精品 that the concerned authorities must take action against risky factories.
鈥榃e are also monitoring the risky factories with our limited resources and technology. The number might be more than 200,鈥� he added.
He also said that, as long as there is still time, they hope the number will be lowered.
鈥榃e urge the labour ministry, BGMEA, BKMEA, Industrial Police, Bangladesh Army and other concerned agencies to take immediate actions so that those factories can get out of the risky status,鈥� he added.
He added that the concerned trade bodies and law enforcement agencies should strictly monitor the situation so that the workers are paid their wages and allowances before Eid.
He also warned that if the workers are not paid, they will report to the connected buyers about the factory units.
