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Cent per cent of the RMG factories have given festival allowance and advance salary for the month of April 2022 to the workers as per the decision of the government, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan.
He thanked the RMG entrepreneurs for paying salary-bonus to the workers despite having many difficulties, according to a press release.
He also expressed thanks to all concerned including workers, owners, law enforcement agencies, and labour leaders for extending their support and cooperation in this regard.
Faruque Hassan said, “Factory owners have timed their vacations so that they fall on various days in different zones, resulting in less pressure of traffic on the highways than previous occasions, as per media reports.”
Eid holidays have started in garment factories since last Wednesday and garment workers have been leaving for their villages since then, he said.
He thanked the government for taking various steps, especially managing the construction works of the development projects without interrupting vehicular movement flow, to reduce traffic congestion on the highway and ensure easy and safe travel of garment workers during the holidays.
He also requested the government to complete the development projects in the shortest possible time to accelerate the economic growth of the country.
He expressed hope that the completion of the development projects would significantly improve the traffic situation on the highways and people would be able to travel more smoothly.
Faruque Hassan thanked Bangladesh Bank for keeping banking services open on April 29 and April 30, at the request of BGMEA, to facilitate payment of garment workers' salaries, festival allowances and export-import activities.
He also thanked the National Board of Revenue for keeping custom houses open during holidays from April 29 to May 4 (except Eid day) to facilitate export-import activities.
He also thanked the Textile Department of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for keeping services open on the weekend on April 30 for the interests of the RMG sector.
He also expressed thanks to the Chittagong Port Authority for keeping the port activities operational 24/7 before and after the holidays.
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He said that as the Covid situation is better this year than that in the last two years hence more workers are going home to celebrate Eid with their families this year.
He said, "We wish all workers and owners reach home safely and celebrate Eid with their families."
The BGMEA president urged all homebound people, including garment workers to follow health safety guidelines rules, including wearing masks.
He also requested the government authorities concerned to intensify monitoring to ensure that buses, trains and launches plying on different routes do not carry extra passengers and can avoid any untoward accident on the way home on the occasion of Eid.
