State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian has asked factory owners to clear March wages before April 10, and disburse Eid festival bonuses before closing up for the holidays.
She gave the directive in a meeting with factory owners and workers leaders at Sromo Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday, which was also attended by representatives from the law enforcement agencies and ministry officials.
During the meeting, worker leaders urged the ministry to fix a deadline for disbursing March wages and festival bonuses. They also urged to announce April wages before the holiday.
Factory owners, however, opposed the proposal and said it will trigger chaos because factories are going to close on different days as per their respective schedules, in a bid to avoid traffic congestion.
But the owners agreed to pay March wages within the ministry-recommended date.
Sufian also requested the factory owners to consult with workers regarding the payment for the first 15 days of April, and additional day offs in line with government holidays.
During the meeting, officials from law enforcement agencies said there are no threats of workers' demonstration in the industrial areas before the Eid, but they are monitoring the situation regardless. Industrial police are ready to prevent any violence in the industry areas.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice President Md Nasir Uddin, who attended the meeting, told The Business Post, “We oppose fixing of a deadline for disbursing bonuses because some factories will close on April 18.
“Due to the ongoing financial crisis, many factories will fail to get the money before that day, which will likely create chaos in the industrial areas. However, we are committed to paying bonuses before the Eid holiday.”
Mentioning that a few factories will likely fail to disburse Eid bonuses, and it happens every year, Nasir said, “We will try our best to support the factories, and they have pledged to pay workers’ wages and bonuses.
“Besides, we asked the factory owners to pay workers’ wages for the first 15 days of April, before the upcoming Eid holidays, if possible.”
