A special Open Market Sale (OMS) programme offering rice at Tk30 per kg to readymade garment (RMG) workers was launched on Friday to ease their living costs and ensure access to affordable food.
Under the programme, each worker can purchase up to 10kg of rice a month at the subsidised rate, according to a handout from the Press Information Department (PID).
Initially, rice is being sold through 66 truck-sale points across Dhaka city, Savar, Dhamrai, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Chittagong.
Each truck carries five tonnes of rice, with a total of 330 tonnes being sold every Friday. The programme will continue until further notice.
Of the daily allocation, Gazipur receives the largest share at 150 tonnes through 30 truck points, followed by Narayanganj and Chittagong with 50 tonnes each through 10 points. Savar receives 40 tonnes through eight points, Dhaka city 30 tonnes through six points and Dhamrai 10 tonnes through two points.
Sales take place in two shifts every Friday: 10am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5pm, subject to stock availability.
Workers must show their factory identity cards and sign a master roll to purchase rice under the programme.
The Directorate General of Food under the Ministry of Food is implementing the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen food security and support low-income households.