Even as the so-called strict 7-day lockdown is kicking in from 14 April in Bangladesh to stem the rapid spread of coronavirus cases, as per which all offices and factories including apparel units are to kept shut, garment makers in the country have sought to continue operating complying with the health safety guidelines.
Media reports mentioned this while underlining it has put factory owners at loggerheads with the labour union leaders, who, reportedly, called for a closure of factories even as garment makers want to keep their units up and running during the lockdown period.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, the President-elect of the apex garment makers’ body in the country, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Faruque Hassan, reportedly, maintained that in event of the factories remaining closed for a week, the risk of spread of the dreaded virus is more as workers will move to their respective villages on account of the same.
Faruque further, reportedly, stated that the industry has gathered experience in the last one year to operate factories by properly maintaining health safety guidelines while adding in eventuality of factories remaining closed, garment exporters will fail to make timely shipments and thus might face work order cancellations, deferred payment and shipments.
Adding this might result in the closure of a number of RMG units, Faruque expressed apprehensions of deterioration in law and order and agitation over wage payment ahead of the Eid.
