Nearly 200 factories, including those in the textile and garment sectors across various industrial zones, are facing the threat of labour unrest as law enforcement agencies warn that many of these units may struggle to disburse wages and festival allowances ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has confirmed that workers and employees of factories and industrial establishments will be entitled to Eid-ul-Azha holidays in accordance with labour laws.

The clarification, issued via a circular on 20 May, followed appeals from apparel sector trade bodies amid confusion triggered by the government’s announcement of a 10-day Eid holiday for public sector employees.

Sources have reported incidents of work abstention in several garment factories, where workers have demanded equal holiday entitlements.

According to the MoLE notification, “…it is hereby informed that the factory authorities will take necessary measures in light of Section 118 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 and Rule 110 of the Labour Rules, 2015 regarding the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday for the workers and employees of the concerned factories/industrial establishments.”

Under Section 118 of the Labour Act, every worker is entitled to 11 days of paid festival holidays per calendar year, with employers determining the specific days and dates of these holidays in accordance with the rules.

The clarification came after the apex apparel trade bodies — Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) — wrote to the ministry, following protests in some factories over the Eid holidays.

When asked, Anwar Hossain, Administrator of BGMEA, said there was confusion over the Eid holidays, although factories usually prepare their holiday calendars at the beginning of the year.

He said they had to hold three days of discussions to resolve an issue at a factory in Mouchak, where workers stopped working to demand a 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday.

Fazlee Ehsan Shamim, Executive President of BKMEA, said several factories in Gazipur and Konabari experienced labour protests and work abstentions over the demand for a 10-day Eid holiday in line with the government’s announcement.

He explained that factory managements usually adjust holidays by having workers work on weekly holidays (Fridays), compensating with additional days off after Eid. Workers also prefer this arrangement. On average, factories declare Eid holidays ranging from five to seven days, and in some cases, even more.

An exporter remarked, “A 10-day Eid holiday is unusual and not implementable for the manufacturing sector, as we have to meet production deadlines within the lead time, and the sector is governed by labour law.”

He further stated that each additional day of holiday could cost between Tk 20 million and 30 million, which is a significant burden for a garment factory given the current domestic and global challenges.

Earlier, on 21 May, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Shipping Adviser announced that garment factory owners must clear all outstanding wages by 28 May or face arrest and imprisonment.

This warning followed a demonstration by hundreds of workers from the TNZ Group, who marched to the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna and gathered at the Kakrail Mosque intersection after being stopped by police. They were demanding payment of overdue wages and allowances.

TNZ workers had suspended their sit-in demonstration near the Chief Adviser’s official residence on the night of 20 May after the government assured that their dues would be cleared within seven working days.

According to law enforcement agencies, around 198 factories are considered vulnerable to labour unrest ahead of Eid.

Of these, 69 are registered with BGMEA, about 22 are members of BKMEA, and 24 are BTMA-affiliated mills.

An additional 12 units under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) are also on the law enforcement agencies’ list of potentially unrest-prone factories due to non-payment issues.

Another 71 non-RMG factories under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Police are also at risk of labour protests, according to available data.

Responding to the issue, BGMEA Administrator Mr Hossain said they are regularly monitoring all units based on different zones.

“We’ve divided the factories into 15 zones and are holding meetings with factory management to prevent any unpleasant situations,” he noted.

Ehsan added that many factories are struggling because their owners are either facing financial difficulties or are out of the country following the recent political transition.

He said the BKMEA is closely monitoring the wage and festival allowance payment status and is in constant communication with problematic units.

According to trade body sources, two separate crisis management cells—one by BGMEA and one by BKMEA—are working to avert any untoward labour issues.

Another set of data revealed that at least 38 garment factories had not paid April’s wages, while two units had yet to pay March wages as of Saturday.