Don’t ask RMG workers to return to Dhaka until further notice: BGMEA

NEWS DESK

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Friday night directed its member factories not to ask workers who are in their villages to return to Dhaka until factory opening date is announced.

"To keep the economy running, and considering the overall situation BGMEA will advise you on opening of factories," the trade body said.

"Until this direction is received, you are kindly requested not to ask workers (who are in their villages) to return to Dhaka," it said.

A zone wise staggered approach will be adopted to open the factories in a limited capacity, it said.

In the first phase, member factories are advised to ask only the workers who are living nearby their factories to join.

The general directive was made after the government allowed factory operation and information of the return of workers as some factory authorities have asked for the same, sources said.

The government on Thursday extended the ongoing public holidays untill May 5 in a bid to slow the spread of the novel corona virus in the country.

But it has also removed the conditional bar on industrial units operation by allowing factories, including pharmaceuticals and export-oriented manufacturing units, resuming operation by ensuring health safety of workers, according to the circular issued by the public administration ministry on April 23.

Experts and labour leaders said that the government's decision to reopen factories, mostly garment units, will increase the risk of the spread of the virus.

Earlier, thousands of workers from different parts of the country were forced to return to Dhaka before April 05 enduring immense predicaments when the country was on near lockdown with restrictions on transportation.

Analyst and right groups attributed garment lobby groups' indecision over factory closure, wage payment, division among apparel makers over closure and the government's discriminatory health safety standards for the plights of labours on April 05, deepening fear about the spread of corona virus.

Regarding retrenchment, the BGMEA has requested member units not to retrench any workers on humanitarian ground.

"If under any circumstances, the workers residing outside return to Dhaka in an unsupported and irregular way, BGMEA will not be able to help as an association in this regards," it warned.

It also said that factory opening date will be communicated to members through email.