Payment of wages to Savar RMG workers to take some more days

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FE Report Payment of wages to the workers of the five apparel factories housed in collapsed Rana Plaza at Savar will take some more days as the BGMEA is yet to collect list of all the workers. Earlier, the BGMEA said it will pay all the wages and arrears of the workers by May 7. "We could only prepare workers' list of two factories-New Wave Style Ltd and New Wave Bottoms Ltd where 1543 and 598 respectively were employed," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Atiqul Islam told reporters at a press conference held at its headquarters in the city Monday. We need two or three days more to prepare the workers' list of the rest three factories and immediately after that, we will clear all the wages and arrears of workers, he said. He also called upon all not to make any comment on building collapse before examining the cracks by structural engineers. "It's creating chaos in the industry as some vested groups are trying to exploit the situation in the name of cracks in factory as local authority, police, TNO have shut some factories down," Mr Islam claimed. In the meantime, before the press conference, US Ambassador to Dhaka Dan W Mozena held a meeting with the BGMEA president and its office bearers while its former presidents Abdus Salam Murshedy, Mostafa Golam Quddus, former vice president Fazlul Azim and former FBCCI president AK Azad, among others, were present. Quoting the ambassador, the BGMEA chief said that the Savar tragedy has sent a negative signal across the world including the US. "Mr Mozena also stressed on finalizing the labour law, that has been amended, by May 15," Mr Quddus told the FE adding we have requested him to extend the timeframe as it will be passed in the next parliamentary session in June. "The recommendations also include expediting our actions," he added. Abdus Salam Murshedy who was also present in the meeting said, "the ambassador viewed that frequent accidents including the Savar happening in Bangladesh have become a great concern for all." Mr Mozena suggested initiating some positive steps including the implementation of ILO convention and its BETTER work programme, which the ambassador appreciated much, he added. Regarding the Pope's comments, he recommended sending a message describing the real situation and the steps taken through the concerned embassy, Mr Murshedy added.