The government has decided to permit apparel factories to remain operational during the strict lockdown that will be enforced from Wednesday.
A team representing the sector negotiated and pleaded the case in favour of keeping factories open to all key policy and decision-makers of the government, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President-Elect Faruque Hasan said in a statement on Sunday.
To avoid the impending crisis facing RMG and export-oriented factories due to closures during the lockdown, the team held a special meeting with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Friday, he added.
Former BGMEA presidents Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Abdus Salam Murshedy, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Salim Osman, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Mohammad Ali Khokon, and Faruque Hasan attended the meeting.
“I urge all the respected members of BGMEA to follow all the health and safety protocols very strictly without failure,” Hassan said in the statement.
Hassan also said that factory owners could face troubles paying salaries and festival allowances to the workers if they cannot run and ship the goods on time.
