Jumbangla Desk: Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) expressed gratitude to the government and the army and said that the country's garment industry has now achieved stability after passing through a challenging period.
The organization's leaders said this at a press conference held at BGMEA complex in the capital's north on Saturday (October 19).
The leaders said that the BGMEA board has been able to deal with the disastrous situation with the cooperation of all, including the government, owners, workers, army and law enforcement agencies.
They said that due to the uncertainty in the payment of salaries for the month of August in the garment factories, a letter was sent to the Finance Advisor seeking cooperation from BGMEA and the BGMEA Board met with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. Following the request of BGMEA, Bangladesh Bank has directed the banks to pay the salaries and allowances for the month of August.
BGMEA board leaders said, following the request of BGMEA, the obligation to provide Fire Resistance Rating for Steel Structural buildings in light of BNBC-2006 for garment factories has been relaxed. In the press conference, BGMEA expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
BGMEA President Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said that buyers are also trusting Bangladesh's garment industry.
He said that with the concerted efforts of the BGMEA Board, under the guidance of the government, a joint force has been formed under the leadership of the army for the security of the garment factories and the joint force has regularly conducted patrols to ensure the security of the areas inhabited by garments. BGMEA has introduced community policing in collaboration with the army.
The BGMEA president said that workers of 39 garment factories affected by Ashulia were unable to pay their salaries for the month of September due to labor unrest. BGMEA has requested the Ministry of Finance to provide interest-free loans to 39 garment factories for payment of September salaries.
