Food rationing for RMG workers stalled

The government's much-expected food-rationing programme for readymade garment workers (RMG) went into hibernation apparently for factory owners' indifference toward it.

After the inauguration of the programme on August 27, BGMEA and BKMEA members had withdrawn only 200 metric tonnes of rice, which was distributed among 5,000 workers [20 kilogram each per month] for two months although they announced they would initially distribute rice to around 6.5 lakh workers.

Admitting that the programme has become sluggish, senior vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said the factory owners were confused about the programmes. The programme requires more publicity, he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) president Fazlul Hoque said they could not monitor the food-rationing programme well due to the knitwear exhibition early October, but would try to resume it in full swing soon.

The government decided to provide subsidised rice to RMG workers in the wake of global economic recession that largely affected the RMG industry and prompted the workers to take to the street demanding raise in wages.

The BGMEA and BKMEA were scheduled to start the rationing programme in April with rice at Tk 18 per kilogram. As the price came down in April-May, the price was re-fixed at Tk 16 a kg.

The trade bodies bargained for a lower rate. Negotiations went for quite some time. Meanwhile, the bodies were confused about the distribution management.

Finally, it was fixed that the factories would procure rice from government at Tk 14.5 a kg and sell at Tk 16 to the workers.

The food rationing began ahead of the Eid-ul Fitr.

"We have ample stocks of 12 lakh metric tonnes of rice but much interest is not seen among the factory owners," Food and Disaster Management Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman told The Daily Star.

Considering the fact that around 25 lakh RMG workers would come under the programme, the government decided to put aside 5 lakh metric tonnes of rice to ensure ration on regular basis, said a food ministry official.

"We are now convinced observing government's enthusiasm for food rationing. In fact, we are thinking of including some more items like salt and pulses at subsidised rate," Mohiuddin told The Daily Star on November 8.

"This programme cannot solve all the problems, but the workers can feel from the gesture that the government and the factory owners are on their side in their time of difficulties. This confidence can help build a better relationship between the owners and the workers," Hoque said.