Even as Bangladesh Government has, reportedly, decided to enforce a nationwide all-out lockdown from 1 July (Thursday) while a lockdown on a ‘limited scale’ would be effective from 28 June, Monday, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 following recent surge in coronavirus cases, factory leaders are, reportedly, in favour of keeping open the manufacturing units even if labour union leaders, reportedly, differed on the issue.
Reports maintained this while adding that majority of the factory owners and some labour leaders were of the opinion that if apparel shipments cannot be made on time, work orders might shift to other countries even as another section of the labour leaders is, reportedly, in favour of keeping the manufacturing units closed considering the safety of the workers.
Speaking to the media, Sirajul Islam Rony (a representative of garment workers at the last minimum wage board) expressed views in favour of running the factories considering the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha as he felt if factory owners cannot produce on time, they would face difficulties in paying the workers timely even if he also felt that the infection rate amongst the apparel workers was still very low consequent to factories adhering to health guidelines, while the President of the Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation Nazma Akter, reportedly, opined that when the whole country is going on a lockdown, why would the garment sector be an exception even as she added that notwithstanding their commitments, some of the garment factory owners did not properly provide transportation services to carry workers between their homes and workplaces during the last lockdown while also raising some questions as to the ability to maintain social distancing and stringent adherence to the other health guidelines.