Businessmen of the country yesterday expressed their concern saying they might not be able to pay their workers’ salaries if the prevailing political crisis persisted.
They urged the respective trade bodies to set up a fund with the help of the government’s special privilege as they could not make shipment due to political unrest.
“Owners are passing a crucial time as the production and shipment are being disrupted leading to fund shortage,” Mohammad Hatem, first vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said.
A group of owners urged the BKMEA to appeal to the government for an interim loan to pay the wages of workers, otherwise they would not be able to pay workers’ salary, he added.
“Owners have to pay wages as per the new wage structure while we are facing cash crunch,” said Hatem.
On November 21 the wage board fixed Tk5, 300 as minimum wage for garment workers which came into effect from the month of December.
He also said they, at a meeting, urged the prime minister for a special allocation to pay wages. “The prime minister assured us.”
Most of the members of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) demanded contingency loan to pay salary of their workers for the month of November as they could not ship their products because of political turmoil”, said Shahidullah Azim, vice president of BGMEA.
The owners said they would be able to pay salary if the government sanctions them a short-term loan, which they will pay off within three months, said Azim quoting the owners.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Vice-president Helal Uddin urged bank authorities to waiver interest during this crucial period.
For over a month Bangladesh has witnessed series of unprecedented number of violent shutdowns and hartals sponsored by the BNP-led 18-party-alliance demanding polls-time government.