Workers of 76 garment factories have not received February salaries

Demands were made to pay workers' salaries and bonuses by the 20th of Ramadan. However, not all factories fulfilled this. Workers of 76 garment factories still have their February salaries in arrears, which is more than three and a half percent of the total BGMEA-affiliated factories. BGMEA has stated that alongside the Eid bonus, 15 days' salary for the month of March must also be paid to the workers. Workers of the 76 factories with arrears hope that their due salaries and bonuses will be paid before Eid.

Md. Atiqur Rahman, general secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Oikya, said efforts are underway to pay 100 percent of salaries and bonuses by March 25 and the owner's side has also assured that they will pay the salaries and bonuses on time. BGMEA Secretary General Md. Faizur Rahman stated that a decision was taken at a meeting of the Ministry of Labour and Employment on March 6 that at least 15 days' wages for the month of March must be given to garment industry workers and employees before Eid. Factory owners have been requested to take steps accordingly.

Currently, out of 3,555 export-oriented garment factories, 2,102 factories are listed with BGMEA. 96.39 percent of the factories have paid February salaries, but some factories have not paid. BGMEA hopes that all arrear salaries and bonuses will be paid by March 25. Sources: BGMEA, Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Oikya, Ajker Patrika