Some 52.60 per cent or 5,313 industrial units, including readymade garment factories, across the country under the jurisdiction of Industrial Police (IP) did not pay wages for the month of February until Wednesday in defiance of the government instruction.
Moreover, some 263 factories, including 139 textile and garment units, are yet to pay wages for the month of January, according to IP data.
Earlier on March 03, labour and employment minister Ariful Hoque Chowdhury instructed owners of all factories to pay wages for February to workers within the seven working days of March (March 09) and to disburse festival allowances by March 12.
Factory authorities have also been asked to pay half of the March wages in advance, following discussions between workers and the management.
Regarding Eid holidays, the government advised factory owners to consult with their respective workers and take decisions accordingly.
According to IP data, a total of 10,100 units, including textile, garment and jute, located in Dhaka, Gazipur, Chattogram, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Khulna, Sylhet and Cumilla, except Dhaka Metropolitan city, are operating under the authority of IP.
Only 47.40 per cent or 4,787 out of the 10,100 factories paid wages for the month of February while only 16.03 per cent or 1619 units paid festival allowance until Wednesday.
A total of 736 garment factories associated with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) out of its 1,542 units under IP jurisdiction did not pay February month's wages until Wednesday, according to IP data.
Some 438 out of 627 BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association) members and 232 Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) members did not pay February wages.
A total of 89 out of 429 factories under Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and 11 out of 76 jute mills are yet to pay last month's wages while the number is 3,807 for other non-RMG units, according to IP.
Ministry sources said the government on March 08 appointed an additional inspector general of police from the Industrial Police as a focal point to ensure payment of wages, festival allowances and other benefits to readymade garment workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on the same day said the government gave special attention to prevent problems that usually arise before Eid, particularly in the country's RMG sector.
Law-enforcement agencies, however, made a list of around 266 factories, including 180 textile and readymade-garment units, in different industrial zones that are at risk of labour unrest saying those units might fail to pay wages and festival allowances before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
When asked, an IP official said they are closely monitoring the vulnerable units and holding meetings with the factory management on ensuring the timely payments to avoid any untoward incidents.
munni_fe@yahoo.com
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