Close on heels of reports that Bangladesh readymade garment industry is planning to resume operations even as the Government has extended the country-wide lockdown or what it says ‘general holidays’ till 5 May, stakeholders are working on a roadmap to resume work, claimed media reports.
Government officials and industry leaders met to discuss on this issue at the Prime Minister’s Office recently even as garment makers proposed to reopen factories zone-wise, claimed the report.
Amongst the Government officials present in the meeting were Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder, Labour Secretary KM Ali Azam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Ahmad Kaikaus and Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.
From the industry, current President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Dr. Rubana Huq, President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) KM Salim Osman, Vice-President Mohammad Hatem, former Presidents of BGMEA – Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Abdus Salam Murshedy and President of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Mohammad Ali Khokon took part in the meeting.
A task force that has been formed recently is said to have been given the responsibility to prepare a guideline on when and how to reopen the factories.