Clear RMG workers' wages, bonus by Aug 6: Minister

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FE Report Apparel manufacturers have been instructed to clear wage for the current month and festival bonus of their workers by August 6 next to avoid any chaos ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The instruction was issued Sunday by the ministry of home affairs (MoHA) at a meeting with representatives Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and law enforcement agencies. Labour leaders have, however, rejected the decision relating to the payment deadline, saying that the workers will not get enough time to do shopping and collect bus tickets for celebrating the festival with their families. "The garment manufacturers must clear salary for the month of July and festival allowance by August 6 and they were asked to follow the order," Home Minister M K Alamgir told the reporters after emerging from the meeting. At the same time, the apparel makers will not be allowed to terminate their workers or declare lay-off of their units before the biggest religious festival of Muslims, he said. A control room will be installed at the BGMEA headquarters to monitor the issue of such payments, the home minister informed, adding that law enforcers concerned have also been directed to stay alert to stem any possible labour-related trouble. Besides, the ministry has requested the central bank to take necessary measures to allow branches of the commercial banks located at the industrial belts to remain open on August 6, which is a national holiday for observance of the Shab-e-Qadr. The minister said the Eid holiday for the readymade garment (RMG) workers would be extended by one day, possibly starting from August 7, as the government has intelligence report that the workers could get involved in anarchy across the country during the rush of the holiday. "We cannot accept the decision and it would create confusion and tension among the workers over getting the payments," a garment workers' leader told the FE. She said the minister might have talked with the workers' representatives before setting the deadline. "It's one-sided," she added. The labour leader said the garment producers must clear festival allowances by July 31 and salaries and other financial benefits by August 3 to remove the payment-related tension from the workers. Workers' leaders in the industry met the high-ups of Industrial Police Saturday last where they raised the issue of payment deadline. "If the workers get the payment on August 6, then what will they do with the money as they will not get enough time to collect bus tickets and go shopping?" President of Jago Bangladesh Garment Workers Federation Bahran-e-Sultan said. He requested the garment owners to clear all kinds of payments by August 3 to ensure smooth celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.