Dhaka: More than 94 percent of active ready-made garment factories in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid Eid-ul-Azha bonuses to workers ahead of the festival, according to a summary report released by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday. The report indicates a strong compliance rate among the factories in meeting the financial obligations related to wages and bonuses.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the report, prepared with data as of May 23, covers a total of 2,134 operational factories across the two zones. Of these, 2,133 factories were found active, with 2,117 factories or 99.20 percent having cleared April wages. Furthermore, 2,021 factories, representing 94.70 percent, have disbursed Eid bonuses to their employees.
Additionally, 767 factories, or 35.94 percent, have already paid an advance on May salaries, showcasing an effort to provide financial stability to workers ahead of the festive period. In the Dhaka zone, out of 1,984 active factories, a remarkable 1,983 factories (99.95%) paid March wages and 1,983 (99.39%) cleared April salaries. Furthermore, a total of 1,909 factories (95.98%) have paid Eid bonuses, while 690 factories (37.58%) have provided advance wages for May.
In contrast, Chattogram’s 380 active factories (100%) paid March salaries. Of these, 334 factories (98.24%) cleared April wages and 352 factories (91.76%) paid Eid bonuses. Additionally, 97 factories (28.53%) have paid advance wages for May, highlighting the regional differences in payment practices.
The BGMEA report also outlines a staggered worker dispersal plan from Dhaka, indicating a phased approach to releasing workers for the Eid holiday. On May 24, workers from 108 factories (6%) were released, followed by 664 factories (37%) on May 25. A further 771 factories (43%) are set to release workers on May 26, with the remaining 251 factories (14%) planning to do so on May 27.