“21,331 RMG workers lose job after Eid”, 18 June 2020

A total of 21,331 workers, mostly from readymade garment sector, have lost their jobs after Eid-ul-Fitr due to the cost-cutting measures adopted by the factory owners on the excuse of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Labour leaders … said that the number … would be much higher than the official data … as many … job cuts were taking place … without notice.    

Out of the total 21,331 workers, IP sources said, 19,409 were garment and textile workers.

Nazma Akter, president of Sommilito Garments Shramik Federation, said … that the workers, who are working less than one year, are the worst sufferers of job cuts as they are not entitled for any compensation according to the law.

Nazma demanded lawful compensation for the retrenched workers and alleged that the wages of May sill remained unpaid in a good number of RMG factories.  

They feared that many of the factories might close down permanently as they lost businesses due to the coronavirus situation.

BGMEA president Rubana Huq … said … factories had been suffering from the lack of export orders due to global outbreak of the pandemic.

‘Unexpected reality awaits the sector and workers will have to face terminations as entrepreneurs are helpless as 99 per cent of factories are running at only 55 per cent capacity,’ she said.