Garment workers to get Eid allowance by August 16

FT ONLINE

Garment workers will receive festival allowances by August 16 on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The decision came at the 37th meeting of the crisis management core committee headed by state minister for labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu held at his secretariat office in Dhaka city.

Apparel makers have also been asked to make partial payment of wages for this month based on the talks with the workers before Eid, according to a meeting source.

Representatives from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, trade unions and other law enforcing agencies, among others, were present in the meeting.

“Usually monthly wages is paid within seven working days of the next month. Yet, the stakeholders sat to confirm that they (workers) get the wage payment and other allowances in time ahead of the Eid,” the source said.

Eid vacations would start in phases and festival allowance must be paid before the closure, the minister said announcing the August 16 deadline in this regard, he added.