When many factory owners are unable to pay their workers’ salaries by April 16, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said that all the workers' will get their salaries within April 20. In an audio statement BGMEA president Runaba Haque said that all garment workers will get their outstanding salaries of March by April 20.
“Until now we have paid salaries to 19,19,600 out of 24,72,000 workers, which is 78 percent of the total number. We are looking forward to complete the payment to 80 percent of salaries by Thursday (April) 16”, said the BGMEA president. However, those who will remain unpaid, they will get their salaries for the month of March will get by April 20, she added.
She said, “If you have any information about workers’ demonstration, please let us know. We will talk to them and pay them as early as possible”. “With the help of journalists, banks, and entrepreneurs, we are committed to pay the salaries”, she assured. Mentioning the existing situation very crucial, Rubana said, “Due to the general holidays transportation is almost shut down. Many bank branches are closed. Disbursement is also talking time, which is delaying the payment of workers. I would say have patients, none of the workers remain without getting salaries”.
It is to be noted, garment workers continue to protest for the fourth consecutive day in a row demanding payment of wages for March. On Wednesday, they stage demonstration in the city’s Mirpur, Badda, Mohakhali, Uttara, and other parts of the city demanding that their arrears be cleared. As foreign fashion retailers have shut stores across the globe as part of social-distancing measures. Which is rippling through fashion’s supply chain, putting at risk the livelihoods of garment workers. This has result in cancellation of huge export orders of the country’s RMG factories.
