98% factories in Gazipur clear wages, 99% bonuses paid ahead of Eid, police say

Authorities say wages at 44 factories and bonuses at 18 others will be cleared between Wednesday and Thursday

Nearly all factories in Gazipur’s industrial belt have cleared workers’ dues ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with 98 percent paying wages and 99 percent disbursing bonuses, police said.

Industrial Police Superintendent Md Amjad Hossain said, as of Tuesday, 2,790 out of 2,834 garment factories had paid wages, while 2,816 factories had cleared bonuses.

“Factory authorities have informed us that wages at 44 factories and bonuses at 18 others will be paid between Wednesday and Thursday,” he said.

To ease Eid travel congestion, factories are being granted holidays in phases this year.

Police said 62 factories closed on Mar 16, followed by 444 on Mar 17, 1,414 on Mar 18, and 833 on Mar 19.

However, 81 factories will remain partially operational during the holidays to meet buyers’ demands, while 2,753 factories will observe the full Eid break.

Police said most workers who have already received leave have left for their hometowns with wages and bonuses in hand, intensifying pressure on roads and highways. Slow-moving vehicles have created long tailbacks in several places.

Severe congestion has been reported at Chandana Chowrasta, Tongi Station Road, Chandra, Safipur, Konabari, Mawna and Jaina Bazar.

Gazipur hosts 770 BGMEA, 147 BKMEA and 136 BTMA factories, alongside 1,781 subcontracting units.