Factories allowed to run in ‘strict’ lockdown

Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

The government on Sunday decided to allow all factories, including export-oriented readymade garments factories, to run during a ‘strict’ lockdown from April 14.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Khandoker Anwarul Islam.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association first Vice-President Mohammad Hatem confirmed the matter to The Business Post.

Acting Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Mohammad Abdus Salam, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association president Mohammad Ali Khokon among others attended the meeting.

The decision came following a demand from export-oriented apparel and textile manufacturers, who urged the government to keep the sector and its backward linkage out of the purview of the ‘strict’ lockdown.

Leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA, and Bangladesh Exporters Association earlier at a press conference at a hotel in the capital made the call.

BGMEA acting president Salam read out a written speech on behalf of all the above-mentioned trade bodies.

“We do not know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over or how long will it prolong. We have to face the present situation based on our experiences,” said Mohammed Abdus Salam.

“The apparel sector has already proved its resilience during the pandemic and has helped the authorities control the infection rate by complying with health safety guidelines.”

“Based on the success in containing COVID infection last year, I think a full-fledged implementation of health safety guidelines and monitoring should be in place for the sake of all workers and the industry,” said Salam.

“BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA and other organisations are committed to follow health safety guidelines and work hand in hand with the government in this regard,” he said.

“In the given context, we earnestly urge the government to keep the country’s apparel sector and its backward linkage industry out of the preview of the strict lockdown to be enforced from April 14,” the business leader added.

On Friday, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said that the government was going to enforce a strict lockdown for a week starting from April 14 and except for emergency services, all government and private offices and factories will remain closed during the period.

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