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Published : 15 Mar 2026, 01:17 AM
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has ordered all industrial factory owners to clear outstanding wages and festival bonuses before the start of the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Presiding over a high-level meeting at his Bailey Road residence on Saturday, the minister emphasised that no complications regarding workers' dues would be tolerated.
To ensure compliance, the ministry will compile a list of "at-risk" factories categorised by parliamentary constituency.
"Lawmakers will communicate directly with factory management to ensure swift payment of arrears and bonuses," he said.
He also expressed frustration with certain banks, including United Commercial Bank Ltd, Trust Bank, and Premier Bank, for allegedly delaying loans despite instructions from the Bangladesh Bank.
He ordered immediate coordination with these institutions to secure funds for factory owners.
With the Eid holidays scheduled from Mar 17 to Mar 23, the government is moving fast to prevent industrial unrest.
At the meeting, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan noted that while over 92 percent of active factories in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid February wages, only 72 percent have disbursed bonuses so far.
He clarified that while March wages are not mandatory before Eid, some quarters are "inciting" workers to demand them.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem reported that among 834 factories under the association, 512 have paid February wages and 604 have paid Eid bonuses.
Mahdi Amin, advisor to the prime minister, reiterated the government's commitment to the sector, saying priority is being given to reopening closed factories within 180 days of the government's formation.
The minister also warned against labour leaders who provoke unrest and ordered a list of fugitive factory owners to be compiled for strict monitoring.
