Prothom Alo
The government has decided to open all export-oriented factories, including readymade garment units, from Sunday in response to the demand of businesspeople amid the ongoing restrictions imposed to stem the surge of coronavirus. The restrictions are set to end on 5 August.
Although the cabinet division issued a notification on Friday evening declaring export-oriented factories beyond the purview of restrictions from 6:00am on Sunday, it disregards how workers back home will make their way to their workplaces.
A group of businesspeople led by Jashim Uddin, president of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), met the cabinet secretary on Thursday, demanding that the factories be opened as early as possible.
Shahidullah Azim, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA), told Prothom Alo, “We want to resume production from Saturday with the help of our workers residing in the vicinity of factories. Many workers didn’t go home during Eid while many have already returned to the workplace.”
The vice-president claimed around 70 per cent workers now live nearby the factories.
Mohammad Hatem, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told Prothom Alo that production would start with the workers residing around the factory. The next step will be taken after observing the number of workers returning to the factory.
He said they need cooperation from the law enforcement to avert a rush of workers from the village areas to the workplaces.
