Some 2.159 million workers, or 87% of the total 2.472 million workers, have received last month’s salaries as of Thursday, a deadline set by the government, claimed BGMEA.
According to the data of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), 73% or 1, 665 factories out of 2,274 BGMEA member factories paid wages to their workers for March.
On the other hand, 97 factories located in Dhaka and 119 in Chittagong are on the process to pay wages.
“As of today (Thursday), we have been able to pay wages to our 87% workers. The rest factories are small and medium which do not work for reputed brands,” BGMEA President Rubana Huq told Dhaka Tribune.
“We are going through such a time, when buyers are canceling orders, delaying payment, suspending payments and asking for discounts,” said Rubana.
Amid lock-down and suspension of transportation, it was very challenging for factory owners to pay workers timely, she said, adding that she was hopeful of completing by April 20-22.
Meanwhile, 565 knitwear factories out of 877 under the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have also paid workers’ wages for the month of March as of Thursday.
