Minister of Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury has directed all industrial factories to pay workers’ outstanding wages and Eid bonuses before the holidays.
He said authorities concerned must remain vigilant to ensure there are no complications over workers’ dues under any circumstances, warning that action will be taken if payments are delayed.
The directive came at a high-level meeting held at the adviser’s official residence on Bailey Road on Friday. The meeting discussed measures to address labour unrest in the ready-made garment (RMG) and non-RMG sectors.
At the meeting, the adviser said a list of high-risk factories would be prepared based on parliamentary constituencies and sent to the respective members of parliament. The MPs will contact factory authorities directly to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ wages and Eid bonuses.
He also said that despite instructions from Bangladesh Bank, several banks—including United Commercial Bank Limited (UCBL), Trust Bank Limited and Premier Bank Limited—had been delaying loan disbursement. Authorities have been asked to contact these banks to ensure quick loan facilities for factories.
The minister alleged that some labour leaders were trying to create unrest in the industrial sector by provoking unnecessary tensions.
He urged local MPs and the administration to remain vigilant and instructed officials to prepare a list of absconding factory owners and their companies to prevent any untoward incidents.
At the meeting, Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin said the government had ordered strict monitoring to resolve workers’ problems. He added that initiatives would be taken to reopen closed factories on a priority basis within 180 days of the government taking office.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said that out of 2,127 factories operating in Dhaka and Chittagong, 1,964—about 92.34%—had paid February salaries, while 1,535 factories (72.17%) had already paid Eid bonuses.
He added that payment of March salaries was not mandatory, but factories capable of doing so would pay them.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that out of 834 factories nationwide, 512 had paid February salaries and 604 had paid Eid bonuses.
He expressed hope that major labour unrest would be avoided as most factories were already paying workers’ dues.
Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar said that forming an emergency fund could help permanently address problems related to workers’ wages and bonuses.
