Government orders worker pay by Jun 14

The government has ordered owners to pay salary for the month of May along with festival bonuses for the Eid-ul-Fitr to all workers, including those in the garment sector, by Jun 14.

“Salary for May should ideally be provided by the 10th of the month. Workers in the garment sector will get holidays in phases, but they should be paid salary with festival bonuses before holidays or by Jun 14,” said State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque.

He spoke to reporters following a meeting of Garments Crisis Management Core Committee at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Jun 16 or 17 depending on the sighting of the moon.

“We have instructed the members of industry owners’ associations to pay the salary for May properly so workers can celebrate Eid happily,” said the state minister.

“Those who are getting holidays earlier should be the first to receive festival bonuses.”

He added the safety of workers travelling to their ancestral homes is on the government’s agenda.

“Many workers die while travelling home on shabby vehicles or in trucks; we have asked the highway police and others to look after the issue,” the state-minister said.

The Detective Branch of police has been updated with the list of factories prone to troubles during Eid, he said.

A team from the labour ministry works in some manufacturing hubs to resolve any problem arising in factories, he said. “Both the government and owners are trying their best.”