All the garment and textile factory units of the country would remain closed on August 5 as per the government's decision of executing a general holiday marking ‘July Uprising Day.’
In this regard, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association issued separate notifications on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, in another notification, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority instructed its factories to make a decision based on its regulations.
The notifications from the BGMEA, BKMEA, and BTMA stated that, in accordance with Section 118 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, and Rule 110 of the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, garment and textile factories typically determine their festival holidays at the beginning of each year.
Since the declaration of the government general holiday has been made at mid-year, it has created some uncertainty among factory owners regarding its observance.
Although there is no legal obligation for industrial establishments to observe this newly declared holiday, they urged their member factories to remain closed on August 5 out of respect for the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising and in solidarity with the government›s decision.
Moreover, they urged that this holiday be duly considered when determining next year’s festival holiday calendar, in accordance with relevant labour laws and regulations.
Earlier, in July, the government officially declared August 5 as ‘July Mass Uprising Day’, and also proclaimed the day as a general holiday through a gazette notification.
