B Mirror Report: Despite facing significant pressure from the global economic downturn, geopolitical uncertainties and rising competition in international markets, garment entrepreneurs have managed to ensure the payment of workers’ wages, allowances and Eid bonuses.

This was disclosed by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan at a press briefing held at the BGMEA Complex in the capital on Wednesday.

The briefing, presided over by the BGMEA chief, was attended by Senior Vice-President Enamul Haq Khan, Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice-Presidents Vidiya Amrit Khan and Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, along with directors including Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Faisal Samad, Nafis-ud-Doula, Majumdar Arifur Rahman, Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Ziarat Mohammad Hosne Komar Alam, ABM Samsuddin, Dr Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, Rumana Rashid, Mohammad Sohel and Samiha Azim, among others.

In his বক্তব্য, Mahmud Hasan Khan said BGMEA member factories, motivated by a strong commitment to their workforce, made maximum efforts to settle wages, allowances and festive bonuses despite various challenges at home and abroad.

“As a result, workers have received their rightful payments, which has contributed to maintaining peace and stability in industrial areas,” he said.

He also thanked the government for its timely and effective assistance, noting that special loan facilities on easy terms for paying February wages, along with the quick disbursement of Tk 2,500 crore in cash support, played a vital role in easing liquidity pressure and keeping factories operational.

Data shared at the briefing showed that about 99.91 percent of BGMEA-affiliated factories have already paid February wages, while 99.81 percent have cleared Eid bonuses. The remaining factories are in the process of settling dues, which are expected to be completed within the day.

It was further mentioned that, although not mandatory, nearly 64.03 percent of factories have advanced partial March wages on humanitarian grounds.

To ensure smoother Eid travel and ease traffic congestion on highways, factories are announcing holidays in phases depending on their locations. As of March 17, around half of the factories had already declared holidays, while the rest are expected to do so by today and tomorrow.