report in The Daily Star, June 27, 2023
At least 2,501 garment, textile, and jute product factories out of 3,164 across the country have not paid their workers 15 days’ wages for the month of June even though the government had asked them to do so before Eid.
Only 663 factories paid the wages as of 7:30pm yesterday, according to data from the Industrial Police.
However, 2,436 factories did pay the workers their Eid bonuses, the Industrial Police data shows. This means 728 factories are yet to pay their workers Eid bonuses.
Of the factories that are yet to pay half month’s salaries, 55 percent are members of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), 20 percent are of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and 10 percent are of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).
The rest of the export-oriented factories that are yet to clear half month’s salaries are in Export Processing Zones and the jute mills.
Talking to The Daily Star, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “Most of the factories have already paid Eid bonuses and it is expected that they will also complete the payment of the 15 days’ salary of June by tomorrow [Tuesday].”
The BGMEA has been monitoring the payment schedule, Hassan also said.
Earlier, the government asked the factory owners to pay half month’s salary of June and bonus to workers before Eid. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/tk-761785cr-budget-passed-parliament-3356661
