Coronavirus: Over 700 RMG Factories Go Back Into Operation

Over 700 garment factories have begun production in the capital, Savar and Ashulia, Sreepur district of Gazipur, amid the risk of coronavirus transmission.

However, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the apex trade body of the textile industry, said that factories began production with limited workers, especially those residing near their factories.

Contacted, BGMEA Senior Vice-President Faisal Samad told the media that some 700-800 garment factories have re-opened with limited workers until Tuesday.

He said the buyers asked the garment factories, particularly those who were unable to make shipments due to the country-wide shutdown, to deliver their shipments by May 5-10.  

They are opening their garment factories with limited workers for the sake of ensuring shipments, Faisal said.

He said BGMEA has already formed six teams to monitor whether the factories are maintaining social distancing and health guidelines.

Besides, an advisory council has been formed consisting of health specialists to prevent the coronavirus transmission, the BGMEA leader said.

When his attention was drawn to the issue of workers returning from outside to Dhaka, he said that it was their own judgment, but factories started development with minimal employees residing outside the factories.

The Government extended the general holidays on 23 April to 5 May in an attempt to tackle the deteriorating coronavirus situation in the country.

This period, pharmaceutical and export-oriented factories were permitted to operate to ensure the proper health and hygiene of employees.

On 23 March, the Government proclaimed a general holiday from 26 March to 4 April to avoid the spread of coronavirus. Later, the holidays were extended for five times.

Source: UNB