DHAKA, March 28, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced the completion of wage and allowance payments for workers in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. 

Following BGMEA's request, the government took advance measures, instructing banks to release incentive funds, said a BGMEA press release issued on Thursday night.

This move enabled entrepreneurs to make payments for February wages, partial or full March wages, and festival bonuses without obstacles. 

The release of funds, particularly for small and medium factories first, and then for larger ones, ensured that no significant disruptions occurred in the garment sector regarding wage and allowance payments this year, said the release.

BGMEA Administrator Mohammad Anwar Hossain expressed his gratitude to the garment sector's entrepreneurs for their dedicated efforts to ensure the timely payment of wages and bonuses, despite facing challenges.

With collective efforts from all, garment workers will be able to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families in a festive atmosphere, he added.

To ensure that no factory faced any issues ahead of the Eid celebrations, BGMEA closely monitored 445 factories where wage-related problems were anticipated. As a result of BGMEA's direct intervention, wages and allowances were secured for workers in nearly 100 factories facing difficulties.

As of 27 March, the BGMEA said, out of 2,107 operational factories (1,769 in the Dhaka region and 338 in the Chattogram region), 99.53% have paid February wages, 83.20% have paid partial or full wages for March, and 94.78% have disbursed the Eid bonus, while 0.47% are still processing February wage payments.

Although some factories were occupied with urgent shipments, all pending payments are expected to be completed by March 29.

In a bid to reduce traffic congestion on highways during the Eid holidays, BGMEA has instructed factories to grant holidays to workers in phases, a process that began on 26 March. It is expected that all workers will leave for their Eid holidays by 29 March, added the release.