Amidst reports of resurgence of the dreaded COVID-19 — the coronavirus infection continued to remain above 5,000 for the second consecutive day on 30 March (Tuesday) in Bangladesh with the total infection reaching 6.05 lakh — the apparel manufacturing units in the country will, reportedly, operate as usual but strictly adhering to the health protocol, issued by the apex garment makers’ body, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Speaking to the media, Dr. Rubana Huq (BGMEA President),reportedly, maintained that the units will operate as usual observing full safety protocols while adding that the same has been communicated to authorities even as the Government has, reportedly, issued a gazette notification with 18 directives imposing restrictions on all types of public gathering, in an effort to contain the new wave of the pandemic while also, reportedly, asking all the Government and non-Government institutions/offices except the ones providing emergency services, to run with 50 per cent of their manpower.
The apex garment makers’ body (BGMEA), on Tuesday, reportedly instructed all its members to enforce health safety protocols strictly in all the readymade garment units even as it called for maintaining staggered-time exit and entry mechanism for the workers to avoid crowd at factory gates besides making available a 17-page factory opening protocols to the factory owners.
However, as per reports, the trade body has not given any instruction on reducing the workforce.
