The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has confirmed the successful completion of wage and allowance payments for ready-made garment (RMG) workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, despite facing some challenges.
BGMEA Administrator Mohammad Anwar Hossain thanked garment sector entrepreneurs for their dedication in ensuring timely payments of wages and bonuses. His statement emphasized that these efforts will allow workers to celebrate Eid with their families in a festive spirit.
In response to BGMEA's request, the government had instructed banks to release incentive funds early, enabling factories to pay workers' February wages, partial or full March wages, and Eid bonuses without delays. Small and medium factories received funds first, followed by larger ones, preventing major disruptions in wage payments.
BGMEA closely monitored 445 factories where wage-related issues were expected, and with their intervention, nearly 100 factories resolved payment issues.
As of March 27, the payment status is as follows:
- 99.53% of factories have paid February wages.
- 83.20% have paid partial or full March wages.
- 94.78% have paid the Eid bonus.
- 0.47% of factories are still processing February wages, but payments are expected to be completed by March 29.
To manage traffic congestion during the Eid holidays, BGMEA instructed factories to grant holidays in phases, beginning on March 26, with all workers expected to leave for their holidays by March 29.
