The fallout of the recent outbreak of Coronavirus globally as well as in Bangladesh is apparently taking a huge toll on the garment workers.
As per some reports – following large scale order cancellations by global buyers and the countrywide shutdown clamped by the Government rendering majority of the garment factories to remain shut – thousands of garment workers have lost their jobs and source of livelihood.
According to a statement issued by three rights groups, apparel manufacturing units in Chittagong, Gazipur, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Ashulia and Savar have reportedly terminated services of around 10,000 workers.
Concerned over the state of affairs, the rights groups have called upon the entrepreneurs involved in garment manufacturing to reinstate the workers and ensure to release their wages for March at the earliest possible.
They also requested the brands and buyers to not put undue pressure on the factories and refrain from order cancellations.
The lay-offs have stoked fears among workers during this crisis, underlined the concerned representatives of the groups in a joint statement, namely Executive Director of BCWS, Kalpona Akter, General Secretary to BIGWF, Babul Akhtar and President of BIGWUF, Nomita Nath.
