The BGMEA’s recommendation to close down all RMG factories in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is a sensible -- if difficult -- call.
When it comes to fighting the spread of Covid-19, many of the steps we take will undoubtedly be precautionary ones, such as self-isolation or ensuring that places where people congregate remain closed.
Nowhere is this more important than in the RMG sector, which employs more than four million people countrywide, and is Bangladesh’s biggest industry, and the largest source of foreign revenue.
We have editorialized before on the need to ensure that the economy remains as stable as possible in the middle of a crisis such as this and, as such, we cannot afford to let an industry, which employs so many and is the primary driving force of the economy, to be affected.
There is no denying that there will be financial losses as a result -- almost $2.5 billion in exports have already been cancelled -- but without these measures, the losses in the long term will be much more severe.
During this difficult time, it is encouraging, however, that the prime minister has ordered a stimulus package for the industry, so that RMG workers continue to get paid while they remain safe in their own homes.
However, moving forward, the efforts from authorities do need to be stronger. Mere recommendations might not be enough as people continue to throng in public places, risking the spread of the virus even further.
But closing down our RMG factories will go a long way towards ensuring that the spread of the virus is stalled, and that our workers are protected.
