Even as Bangladesh entered into a 7-day lockdown effective 14 April, export-oriented industries are kept out of its purview and are, reportedly, operating.
However, according to media reports, non-availability of public transport is creating difficulties for some garment workers, in reaching their respective workplaces.
Meanwhile, citing union leaders and factory management, media reports underlined that workers are reporting for work even as health and safety guidelines are being followed.
Almost all the factories were running as usual in Gazipur, Ashulia and Savar and at the entrance of the manufacturing units, factory managements have mainly prioritised four health measures: mandatory mask-wearing, measuring body temperature, cleaning hands with sanitisers and washing feet with soap water, reportedly, maintained the President of the National Garment Workers Federation, Amirul Haque Amin, while underlining that no untoward incident has been reported so far.
Reports further added that many workers came to the factories walking, as the Government has banned public transport during the lockdown and factories failed to ensure vehicles for the workers even as those who managed to take rickshaws or other modes of transport to reach the workplace, have, reportedly, had to shell out high fares.
