Coronavirus: Over 50 RMG factories in N’ganj reopen

Over 50 garment factories reopened in Narayanganj, a hotspot of the Covid-19 infection, on Sunday (April 26).

Most of the factories are located in Fatullah and Siddhirganj EPZ areas.

Hundreds of workers were in great sufferings as they did not receive any wages for the past two months, they alleged, saying they joined the work to feed their families.

Vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem claimed that the factories were opened after consultation with the government and considering the current economic condition.

Due to the coronavirus, foreign buyers cancelled orders worth 4 billion US dollars but still, Bangladesh has 6 billion-dollar orders in hand, he said.

“Bangladesh’s workers would be the worst sufferers if the foreign buyers move towards China, Vietnam and Cambodia, where factories are still open, for not delivering their consignments in time,” Hatem added.

They are planning to establish five coronavirus testing laboratories for the safety of RMG workers of Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia and Chattogram, he said.

/UNB/