48.79% factories pay Mar salaries, 81.35% pay bonuses

Only 48.79 per cent of factories across the country have paid their workers March wages, while 81.35 per cent paid bonuses until Sunday evening.

Confirming the matter to The Business Post, a senior official of the Industrial Police said, “Most of the factories that did not pay February salaries belong to readymade garment and textile sectors. We are optimistic that they will be able to pay their workers by April 9.”

Nearly 100 factories did not pay February wages, according to the Industrial Police.

Many factories have already begun their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays to prevent traffic congestion and ensure smooth journeys for their workers.

According to the Industrial Police and government agencies, the country has nearly 7,000 factories in operation, while nearly 2,500 are readymade garments, and over 350 are textile factories.

The government introduced a new wage board for the RMG factories last year, which was implemented from December 2023.

On the other hand, RMG export trend is not in a sustainable situation in this fiscal year due to the ongoing global economic headwinds. The country witnessed negative export earnings growth for several single months of FY24.

Industrial Police and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) officials said the factories that are yet to implement new wage structure as the financial crisis is delaying payment to workers.

BGMEA Vice President Md Nasir Uddin told The Business Post, “Some factories face financial crisis every year, and we resolve the issues. We are trying to ensure that every worker gets paid, and hopefully, no one will leave their workplace without salary.”

On March 20, State Minister for Labour and Employment Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury said a decision was made to provide the salary for March and festival bonuses to readymade garment (RMG) workers before the Eid holidays.

This decision was taken in a meeting of the tripartite consultative council of the ready-made garment sector at the ministry's conference room with the state minister in the chair.