Factory owners urged to clear workers’ wages, bonuses before Eid

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has directed that all outstanding wages and festival bonuses of workers in the country’s industrial sector must be paid before the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays.

The minister issued the directive during a high-level meeting held on Saturday at his official residence office on Bailey Road in Dhaka to determine measures to prevent labour unrest in both the RMG and non-RMG sectors.

He said that lists of vulnerable factories in different parliamentary constituencies would be prepared and shared with members of parliament, who would then directly engage with factory authorities to ensure the quick payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses.

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The minister also instructed officials to contact banks, including United Commercial Bank Limited, Trust Bank Limited and Premier Bank Limited, which were allegedly delaying loan disbursements despite instructions from Bangladesh Bank, to ensure quick financial support for factories.

He warned that certain labour leaders attempting to create instability in the industrial sector by unnecessarily provoking workers should be closely monitored by local MPs and the administration.

The minister also directed the preparation of a list of absconding factory owners and their establishments, stressing the need to prevent any untoward incidents in those factories.

Assuring support, he said all officials and employees of the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Bangladesh) are ready to provide necessary assistance and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ interests.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said the PM had instructed authorities to maintain strict monitoring to resolve workers’ problems.

He added that the government would take initiatives to reopen closed factories on a priority basis within 180 days of forming the government.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan said that among 2,127 operational factories in Dhaka and Chattogram, 1,964 factories (92.34%) had paid February salaries, while 1,535 factories (72.17%) had already paid Eid bonuses.

He noted that payment of March salaries is not mandatory, though factories with the financial capacity may do so.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem said that of the country’s 834 factories, 512 had paid February salaries and 604 had paid Eid bonuses.

He expressed hope that major labour unrest would be avoided as most factories have already paid dues.

Labour and Employment Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar suggested that forming an emergency fund could provide a long-term solution to wage and bonus-related issues.

The meeting was also attended by several lawmakers, including Dewan Md Salauddin (Dhaka-19), Md Tamiz Uddin (Dhaka-20), Md Mujibur Rahman (Gazipur-1), M Manjurul Karim Rony (Gazipur-2), SM Rafiqul Islam (Gazipur-3), and Fazlul Haque Milon (Gazipur-5), along with senior government officials.