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Over 53 per cent or 1,126 garment factories registered with the apparel apex body, BGMEA, paid festival allowances for the upcoming Eid, three days before the deadline.
Citing a government's decision, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in a circular on May 26 asked all its members to pay festival allowances by May 31 and monthly wages for May by June 03.
"But, if necessary, wages for the month of May could be paid before the Eid holiday starts, considering the production and shipment, following discussions with respective workers," according to the notification.
It further added that in that case factory management has to be aware that there is no labour unrest.
According to the BGMEA, some 2,092 factories listed with the trade body are in operations till date.
Some 46.18 per cent, or 966 factories, did not pay festival allowances until Wednesday, data showed.
It also showed that four units in Gazipur, Savar, and Ashulia industrial zones out of the 2,092 factories suspended operation on Wednesday for various reasons.
Two factories located in Gazipur, namely, Hong Kong Fashion ltd and Hagh Knitwear Ltd, did not pay the wages for the month of March until Wednesday, while two dozens of factories did not pay wages for the month of April.
Meanwhile, law enforcing agencies listed some 200 factories, including textile and readymade garments, in different industrial zones that are at risk of labour unrest over payment of wages and festival allowances before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
To avert any unwanted situation, the trade bodies-BGMEA and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) claimed to have intensified their monitoring and keeping close contact with the management concerned.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has clarified that the workers and employees of factories and other industrial establishments will enjoy Eid-ul-Azha holidays as per the labour law.
In a circular on May 20, the MoLE issued the clarification in response to a request of the apparel sector trade bodies in this regard.
Confusion created among the workers over the holidays following the government announcement of a 10-day Eid vacation for public employees.
Regarding Eid holidays, BGMEA in its circular advised its members to announce Eid holidays as a maximum of 10 days, after discussing with their respective workers, adjusting general duty/earned leave with pre-set eid holidays and weekly holiday.
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