The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has issued a formal directive to factory owners, urging them to pay at least 15 days’ salary for March and the Eid bonus to garment workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a notice released on 18th March, BGMEA Secretary General Md Faizur Rahman referenced discussions from the 85th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council, held on 6th March at the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This meeting, which included representatives from factory owners, workers’ organisations, and government officials, emphasised the importance of ensuring that garment workers receive their due wages and bonuses in a timely manner. It was agreed that at least half of the March salary must be disbursed before Eid, with all outstanding wages and bonuses to be settled by the 20th of Ramadan.
Factory owners have also been encouraged to allow workers to take leave two to three days before Eid, where feasible. The BGMEA has underscored the need for compliance with these directives to ensure a smooth and fair holiday season for workers.
As of Tuesday, BGMEA reported that 2,107 factories are operational in Dhaka and Chattogram, with 2,022 having disbursed February salaries. However, 85 factories have yet to clear these payments, and four are still pending disbursement of January wages. According to labor laws, salaries must be paid within seven working days of the subsequent month.
The monitoring of factory operations and financial conditions continues, with no factories shut down under Section 13(1). However, six factories closed for the day after opening, allowing for self-paid leave or due to workers leaving voluntarily.
In a related notice, the BGMEA has advised factories to stagger Eid holiday schedules to alleviate congestion on transportation systems. Owners are encouraged to coordinate leave in accordance with production needs and to promote awareness among workers regarding safe travel practices and food safety.
Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), recommended that factory owners consider granting leave before the last working day of Eid if work demands are low. He acknowledged the usual pressure of shipments leading up to the holiday but emphasised the need for flexibility where possible.
Eid-ul-Fitr is anticipated to be celebrated on 31st March, contingent on the sighting of the moon. In preparation, the Ministry of Public Administration has announced a five-day holiday period from 29th March to 2nd April, including the public holiday on Eid and additional holidays surrounding it.
