Health Minister Zahid Maleque has assured the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) that garment workers will be vaccinated on a priority basis after sufficient vaccine doses are available in the country.
The assurance was given after a delegation from the BGMEA led by President Faruque Hassan met with the health minister and asked him to prioritize vaccines for RMG workers, as they have been working during the pandemic to protect the country’s economy.
The BGMEA president also asked to prioritize Covid-19 vaccines for the officials of foreign apparel brands and buyers working in Bangladesh, and the minister said it would be considered.
The BGMEA delegation included First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President Md Shahidullah Azim, and Vice President Miran Ali.
Furthermore, Faruque Hassan sought the assistance of the Health Ministry with regard to payment of more than Tk36 crore arrears to some garment factories that supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD).
The health minister said the ministry would take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Lokman Hossain Miah, secretary to the Health Services Division under the Health Ministry, and Dr ABM Khurshid Alam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), were also present at the meeting.
