Over half of registered RMG factories pay festival allowance ahead of deadline: BGMEA
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Over 53 per cent, or 1,126 garment factories registered with the apparel apex body — Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association— paid festival allowances as of Wednesday, three days before the set deadline, according to data from the BGMEA.
The trade body, in a circular issued on May 26 citing the government’s decision, asked all its members to pay the festival allowance by May 31 and the monthly wages for May by June 3.
“But, if necessary, May wages could be paid before the Eid holiday starts, considering production and shipment, after discussions with respective workers,” read the notification.
It further added that, in such cases, factory management must ensure there is no labour unrest.
According to the BGMEA, some 2,092 factories listed with the trade body are currently in operation.
Some 46.18 per cent, or 966 factories, had not paid the festival allowance as of Wednesday, data showed.
It also showed that four units in the Gazipur, Savar, and Ashulia industrial zones out of the 2,092 factories suspended operations on Wednesday for various reasons.
Two factories located in Gazipur — Hong Kong Fashion Ltd and Hagh Knitwear Ltd — had not paid wages for the month of March as of Wednesday, while about two dozen factories had not paid wages for the month of April.