RMG factories closure till April 14, wages by April 16

Two apparel trade bodies — BGMEA and BKMEA— on Monday in a joint statement asked its members to keep their factories closed until April 14 in line with the government general holidays.

The apex bodies also requested the members to pay their workers the wages for March by April 16.

Meanwhile, a Bangladesh Bank circular issued on the day instructed all the RMG entities concerned to complete the opening of mobile financial service accounts for all the RMG workers within April 20.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association leaders said that they decided that all the RMG units, except those that were producing personal protective equipment and urgent export items, would remain closed until April 14.

But the factories which are making PPE and have urgent shipment orders will need to inform their respective association for continuing operations after complying with the full health and safety requirements, the statement said.

Following a meeting with prime minister’s principle secretary Ahmad Kaikaus the apparel sector leaders took the decision on Monday night, officials said.

The meeting was held at the instruction of prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued in the weekly cabinet meeting at her Ganabhaban residence a day after a chaotic situation arose in the  export-oriented apparel sector due to the indecision and lack of coordination over the closure of factories amidst the countrywide shutdown.

BGMEA president Rubana Huq said that as per the joint decision of two trade bodies the BGMEA and the BKMEA were recommending the closure of all factories till April 14 in line with the government holidays to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Rubana said that they also requested all factories to pay workers’ wages by April 16.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net