18 factories might fail to pay salaries, Eid perks
The country's 18 garment factories could fail to pay salaries and other allowances to their workers before the Eid-ul-Fitr as their financial condition is weak, apparel leaders said yesterday.
Initially, different government agencies told the concern ministries and departments that at least 700 garment factories might not be able to pay salary and other benefits to the workers before the religious festival, the sector leaders said.
The number of potential non-compliant industrial units was reduced to 400 after consultations with the owners and managements, said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at a press conference at the association office in the city.
He said almost all owners and managements have already agreed to pay the salaries and bonuses to their workers before the Eid, but 18 factories are yet to agree to comply the directives from the government and the association as they say their financial condition is weak.
“Still, we are negotiating with the managements of those garment factories so that they can pay the salaries and bonuses in time. I hope they will agree to pay their workers in time as the negotiation is still going on,” Mohiuddin said.
The managements of many garment factories are in trouble as they have to pay salaries for two months (July and August) as well as bonuses, he said.
The business leader said some public and private commercial banks have already agreed to keep open some of their important branches until August 30 so that the managements can draw money to pay salaries and other allowances to their workers.
The Chittagong port will also remain operational until September 1 for exports and imports activities, said the BGMEA chief.
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