RMG sector declares up to 10 days of Eid holiday

Factories of readymade garment (RMG) sector have announced up to 10 days of Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, with most units scheduled to remain closed from March 18 to March 27.

In a notice issued to its members, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said its management offices in Dhaka and Chottogram would remain closed from March 19 to March 25. However, the offices will reopen on March 28 after the public holiday for Independence Day on March 26 and the weekend on March 27.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem told The Financial Express that the association also issued a notice in line with the government's holiday schedule from March 19 to March 27.

He said factories under BGMEA and BKMEA would follow their own holiday arrangements, with most  units observing at least nine days of vacation.

According to him, although the Labour Act provides for three-day Eid holiday, many factories have extended the break to up to 10 days by adjusting general holidays and duty schedules.

The government's Eid holiday period will span seven days this year, starting with the Shab-e-Qadr holiday on March 17 and continuing until March 23.

The government declared March 18 a public holiday by an executive order, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration.

BGMEA director and managing director of Cute Dress Industry Ltd, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz said his factory would remain closed from March 19 to March 27.

Managing Director of Aman Garment Ltd Md Jasim Uddin said his factory announced 10-day vacation from March 18 to March 27, adjusting general holidays and duty schedules, considering workers' interest as many travel home to their villages only during the two Eid festivals.

BGMEA data show that out of 2,127 operational factories under the association, 2,122 have cleared January wages.

In addition, 2,001 factories have paid February wages, while 1,741 factories have already disbursed festival allowances. Only five factories have partially paid March wages so far.

On Friday, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury instructed all industrial establishments to clear workers' outstanding wages and festival allowances before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

The minister also said a list of risk-prone factories would be prepared based on parliamentary constituencies and shared with lawmakers so they could engage with factory owners to ensure timely payment of wages and bonuses.