Leaders representing various garment workers’ rights groups convened separate rallies in Dhaka on Saturday, urging the government and garment factory owners to ensure timely payment of workers’ wages and festival allowances by June 10.

The Garments Sramik Odhikar Andolan, a coalition of garment workers’ rights bodies, organised a rally in front of the National Press Club, chaired by Mahbubur Rahman Ismail.

During the event, garment workers’ labor leader Mushrefa Mishu underscored the plight of low-paid workers, saying that without timely disbursement of wages and festival allowances before Eid-ul-Azha, likely to be celebrated on June 17, many would be unable to partake in the festivities.

Mishu called upon both the government and garment factory owners to take immediate measures to ensure payments are made before June 10, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, a biggest religious occasion for Muslims.

Additional speakers at the rally included garment labor leaders Raju Ahmed, Mahmud Hossain, Babul Hossain, and Fayez Hossain.

Meanwhile, Garment Sramik Samhati held a separate rally in front of the National Press Club, led by its president Taslima Akhter.

Taslima highlighted ongoing protests in Ashulia and Gazipur, emphasizing the demand for wage and festival allowance payments by June 10.

She warned of intensified protests if payments are not made by the specified date.

General Secretary Babul Hossain, Central Leader Anjan Das, and others also addressed the rally.

The event concluded with a protest procession, advancing up to the Purana Paltan crossing.

Meanwhile, the industrial police convened a meeting with the textile and garment sector leaders, emphasising the importance of ensuring the payment of wages and festival allowances before Eid-ul-Azha to avert potential unrest.

In a statement, the industrial police disclosed list of several factories, where issues concerning wage and festival allowance payments could arise.

They urged the respective trade bodies and factories to explore alternative solutions in case of any delays in wage disbursements.

On May 15, the government issued a directive, requiring all factory owners to fulfil their obligation of paying monthly wages and festival allowances to workers, before the commencement of the Eid holiday.

During the 18th meeting of the tripartite consultative committee on the RMG industry, state minister for labour Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury urged factory owners not to terminate any workers or declare unit layoffs ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.