The country is currently experiencing lockdown due to sudden surge in Covid-19 infection and death rates, however, unlike last year the lockdown this time is largely limited to other businesses while keeping the garments factories open.
The functioning of these garments factories is subjected to many precautions including following strict health protocols that have been imposed in order to continue work while at the same time follow safety at the time of the pandemic.
Labour and Employment Secretary K M Abdus Salam told Bangladesh Post that there were a set of guidelines that was implemented on the sector last when the factories reopened, in order to function under safety measures. A meeting was held on Sunday to discuss further measures and update the guidelines. An official announcement would soon be made in this regard.
“There are strict safety measures that everyone has to follow from the moment we enter any (garment) factory. We have to wash hands and clean feet at the entrance and make sure we sanitize ourselves. Masks are mandatory all throughout from the time we step in till the time we step out. It has been instructed to strictly maintain using the face mask and anyone defying could face termination,” said Kabir Hasan, a worker in a garments factory in the Nawabganj area of the capital.
Another garments worker, Shakib Alam said, “Social distancing has been made mandatory since last year and it is still being followed. Our job is co-related and work as a chain. Hence, no one has to get involved with one another and we follow the physical distancing rule quite efficiently. Supervisors make sure there is no disturbance in work due to the protocols.”
BGMEA Vice President A M Chowdhury Selim told Bangladesh Post that alongside the strict safety measures, health protocols are also prioritized. He informed that the factories are equipped with medical facilities alongside an in house doctor.
He said, “The body temperature of every worker is measured when they enter and if they exceed the barometer, they are asked to take a leave for the time being. Even in cases where a worker may fall sick during the day, the doctor measures the temperature and prescribes them medicine and they are immediately given leave. These leaves do not affect their payment and they are asked to rejoin after making sure they feel better.”
Co-owner and director of the Mother Colour Limited, Samir Sakir told Bangladesh post that their workers in the factor have been placed in different formations in order to maintain social distancing. The factory is equipped with drums of soap and other health remedies. Supervisors are strictly instructed to maintain the discipline of the safety measures and make sure that the workers are abiding by all the regulations.
While talking to Bangladesh Post, ARM Shahidul Haque Opu, director of Renaissance group said that not only do they provide medical services, but an isolation chamber as well.
He said, “Our premise is divided into two sectors; production and offices. The first floor of the offices sector is made into a chamber with beds for our workers if they fall sick and need medical attention. It is only for the workers and from there they are prescribed medicine or referred to hospitals if they require further advanced treatment.”
Businesses have suffered throughout the last year and the garments industry is no different. It cannot be denied that the situation at the moment is not safe for anyone but the garments factories are seemingly at their best attempt to tackle this situation and run efficiently and safely.