BGMEA urges owners to keep factories closed until Apr 11
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the owners to keep their factories closed until April 11 to help manage the coronavirus spread.
BGMEA President Rubana Huq made the request on Saturday taking into consideration the overall situation.
In a separate message, she assured that RMG workers will get their wages and salaries for the month of March. "There should be no doubt about this," she said.
BGMEA on Saturday said buyers have so far cancelled orders worth $3.02 billion following a coronavirus outbreak, affecting 1,104 factories and approximately 2.19 million workers.
Meanwhile, a large number of RMG workers, who left Dhaka following the government declared general holidays from March 26, started rushing back again to the capital. Most of them said they fear losing jobs if indeed they fail to show up for work.
Bangladesh, the second largest exporter of RMG goods after China, employs about four million persons in the sector, mostly women.
Health experts say the labour-intensive sector, which contributes a lot more than 80 percent to the country’s export earnings, is at high risk of coronavirus outbreak.
Bangladesh has up to now confirmed 70 cases and eight coronavirus deaths. The country has shut down educational institutions, mass transports and urged people to stay indoors to avoid further transmission of the virus.
Meanwhile, in a separate message, Rubana clarified that factories which may have international purchase orders and so are making PPEs can remain open if indeed they ensure necessary precautionary measures for their employees.
She said no garment worker will eventually lose their jobs because of absence at their workplace, urging all factory owners to contemplate it on humanitarian ground.
