'Garment workers to get all backpay by Thursday'

 
Garment workers will receive their wages until August on Thursday at the latest, according to Labour and Employment Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. The government is also forming a committee to look into the separate incidents of labour unrest in Dhaka's Savar and Gazipur - two major hubs for the export-oriented industry. Asif told the media at the Secretariat: "The workers will receive their backpay by tonight [Wednesday] or tomorrow [Thursday] morning amid the labour unrest that has arisen at the garment factories in Savar's Ashulia, bdnews24 reports.

The prompt payment of arrears and allowances has been urged, the labour advisor said. The government has also urged the central bank governor to release the money quickly at the request of the factories.

Due to the disruptions to production in the readymade garments sector amid the student-led mass movement in July, factory owners have called for 'soft loans' to pay workers' salaries for the month of August.

The government has petitioned the banks to meet the request. The salary funds will go directly to the workers' accounts.
Asif said that instructions were given to quickly pay out the salaries for August.

"There are some long-term issues," he said. "We will try to resolve them through a process of consulting and hearing from everyone."

Since a student-led movement toppled the Awami League government on Aug 5, garment workers from factories in Dhaka and its nearby districts have been protesting.

Members of law enforcing agencies, factory owners, the BGMEA, and labour leaders have met several times over the issue.

On Monday, members of the BGMEA held a meeting at the organisation's offices in Dhaka's Uttara. It was decided that factories would remain open and labour leaders gave assurances that they would give their support to maintaining a peaceful environment.

Despite this, about 50 factories have declared holidays since then amid the worker unrest. As many as 60 factories in Savar and Ashulia announced an indefinite closure from Wednesday.

An emergency meeting was held at the Secretariat under the circumstances, Asif Mahmud said.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement convener turned advisor said that a committee would be formed to hear the demands of workers in one place.