More than 53 per cent of garment factories registered with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) had paid festival allowances by Wednesday, three days before the official May 31 deadline.

The BGMEA, in a circular issued on 26 May referencing a government directive, had called on its members to disburse festival allowances by 31 May and settle May wages by 3 June, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha — one of the biggest religious festivals for Muslims — to be celebrated on 7 June.

The circular also noted that, if required, May wages could be paid earlier depending on production and shipment schedules, following discussions with the workers concerned.

It further stated that, in such cases, factory management must ensure that no labour unrest occurs.

According to the BGMEA, a total of 2,092 factories registered with the trade body are currently in operation.

Data showed that 46.18 per cent, or 966 factories, had not paid the festival allowance as of Wednesday.

The data also revealed that four factories located in the industrial zones of Gazipur, Savar, and Ashulia had suspended operations on Wednesday for various reasons.

Two factories in Gazipur — Hong Kong Fashion Ltd and Hagh Knitwear Ltd — had not paid wages for the month of March as of Wednesday, while around two dozen factories had yet to disburse wages for April.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have identified around 200 factories, including textile and readymade garment units across various industrial zones, as being at risk of labour unrest due to delayed payment of wages and festival allowances ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

To prevent any untoward situation, the trade bodies — BGMEA and BKMEA — have claimed to have intensified their monitoring efforts and are maintaining close communication with the relevant factory managements.

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

In a circular issued on 20 May, the MoLE made the clarification in response to requests from trade bodies representing the apparel sector.

This clarification followed confusion among workers regarding the holiday period, after the government announced a 10-day Eid vacation for public sector employees.

On the matter of Eid holidays, the BGMEA advised its members, through its circular, to declare a maximum of 10 days off for Eid-ul-Azha, in consultation with their respective workers.

The holidays may be adjusted using general duty or earned leave, in combination with pre-declared Eid and weekly holidays.