Despite missing government-set deadlines, over 30 per cent of industrial units have yet to pay Eid-ul-Fitr bonuses, intensifying workers’ concerns ahead of the holiday.
According to data compiled by the Industrial Police, which monitors 10,100 factories across the country, around 1,026 units, or 10.16 per cent, had not cleared February salaries as of Tuesday.
At the same time, some 3,035 units, or 30.05 per cent, did not pay Eid bonuses, while 7,065 factories, or 69.95 per cent, have paid Eid bonuses so far.
Earlier this month, following a tripartite meeting among factory owners, workers and the government, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury instructed factories to pay February wages by March 9 and Eid bonuses by March 12.
To support cash-strapped industries, the government arranged soft loans equivalent to one month’s wages for export-oriented factories and released Tk2,500 crore in pending cash incentives for the sector.
However, the measures have yet to fully resolve the situation, as workers in several industrial belts have staged protests demanding unpaid dues.
Labour leaders claim the delays are not always due to financial hardship.
“Some owners hold back February wages and bonuses deliberately. If paid early, workers may demand a portion of the current month’s wages as well,” said Industrial Bangladesh Council former Secretary General Salauddin Swapan, adding that some factories have already settled February dues alongside partial March salaries.
In Gazipur, uncertainty persists over payments for more than 100 workers at HDF Apparels, where the factory owner is reportedly untraceable.
In Narayanganj, a struggling factory managed to pay wages after securing a Tk30 lakh loan from leaders of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
“Factories are expected to clear wages and bonuses and announce holidays within this period. We hope there will be no major disruptions,” said Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mohammad Hatem.
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), of its 2,127 operational factories in Dhaka and Chattogram, 2,090 have paid February wages, leaving 37 units pending.
Eid bonuses have been disbursed by 2,051 factories, while 76 are yet to comply, and five factories still have outstanding January wages.
The BGMEA also said 478 factories have already paid advance wages for March.
“Some last-minute delays may occur in a few factories, but we are working actively to resolve any issues,” said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Senior Vice-President Inamul Haq Khan.
The association added that 35 per cent of garment factories began Eid holidays on Tuesday, followed by 45 per cent on Wednesday and the remainder on Thursday.
