48,200 apparel workers yet to get wages

With the month of April coming to an end next week, still many readymade garment factories have not given salaries to their workers for the month of March amid the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis. 

As many as 48,200 apparel workers are yet to get their wages for the month of March, according to the latest data obtained from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The association claimed 92 factories or 4% out of 2,274 BGMEA member factories have not paid due salaries as of Wednesday.

Most of these factories were small and medium and currently suffering from fund crisis, said Faisal Samad, Senior Vice President of BGMEA.

The crisis over payment of wages deepened as many buyers canceled work orders and delayed due payment due to the global lockdown. 

BGMEA was trying to ease the fund crisis with the help of banks, added Samad. 

Samad said: “We are very close to resolving the issues and I am hopeful that the remaining workers will receive their March salary by April 26.”

The government earlier asked the apparel manufacturers to pay March wages by April 16.

A total of 24.24 lakh or 98.05% of workers under the association member factories have been paid their March salary.