Keep EPZs open during shutdown, investors request Bepza

The investors of the export processing zones (EPZs) have requested Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) to keep the EPZs open during the upcoming countrywide shutdown starting from June 28.

The workers will rush to their village homes if the factories remain closed, which will rather spread the coronavirus fast, they said.

Moreover, it will be impossible to pay salaries and festival bonuses to the workers for Eid-ul-Adha if the production units remain closed for lockdown, the investors said.

The Bangladesh EPZ Investors' Association (BEPZIA) placed the demand to the Bepza today and released a statement.

The investors said they have taken all preventive measures to protect their workers against Covid-19.

"We have most urgent export commitments with buyers, which is very important for our national economic growth," said M Nasir Uddin, chairman of BEPZIA.

"Everybody knows that there is a big community working in all EPZs, who came from different corners of the country. If the factories close, the workers will go home and make the situation worse."

"Under this circumstance, we are earnestly requesting the government to keep export-related government offices open to ensure smooth export," he added.