BGMEA demands 1.5cr Covid jabs for workers

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has demanded 1.5 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the readymade garments workers as they have been working during the pandemic to protect the country’s economy.

Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) made the demand in the TexTime 7th episode on ‘Working Together to Regain Export’ organised by Textile Today on Sunday, says a press release.

"There are four lakh workers in the garment industry but by counting down family members, the estimated amount of vaccines needed is 1.5 cores," he said.

Mohammad Ali Khokon, President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) was also present where Tareq Amin, Founder & CEO, Textile Today moderated the webinar.

The two presidents discussed how manufacturers can work together to regain export textile and garments manufacturers must work together to regain the export volume.

Speakers said orders worth $3.5 billion were cancelled within 60-70 days of lockdown last year. Some orders were restored this year but the loss was tremendous.

The sector is sure to face more challenges as the government has announced another strict lockdown from the first of July to contain Covid-19 transmission in Bangladesh, they warned.

Faruque said, "People go to their hometowns on holidays during the lockdown, increasing contamination of Covid."

Replying to a question asked by the moderator Tareq Amin regarding purchasing private vaccination, Covid testing, and treatment of the workers Faruque said BGMEA had set up three PCR labs for testing RMG workers at two and one in Chattogram.

He also said it was not possible to import private vaccines from other countries as both the Bangladesh government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not formulated any policy for this yet.

Mohammad Ali Khokon suggested for workers to stay inside the factory residential areas so that they needed to move less.