Unpaid Eid salaries and bonuses casts shadows on Dhaka's textile industry

While the Muslim world celebrates the holiday, thousands of workers in Bangladesh are waiting for back pay from April. After Beijing, Dhaka is the world's second largest producer, employing 4.4 million workers, 60% of whom are women. Management continues to fail to meet its obligations.The frustration of the unions: ‘Every year it's the same scenario. How can we celebrate with our families?’ 

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - As the holy festival of Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated, thousands of workers in Bangladesh's industrial sector are still waiting for their salaries and bonuses. Many factories, particularly in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, have paid workers only partially or not at all.

In some cases, April wages have not yet been paid. This recurring crisis casts a shadow over Bangladesh's largest industrial sector, which employs 4.4 million people, 60% of whom are women.

Despite repeated warnings from the government and tripartite agreements, thousands of workers find themselves in financial uncertainty during what should be a joyful time with their families. According to the Industrial Police, which monitors 9,683 factories in the main manufacturing areas - including Savar-Ashulia, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Chattogram and Mymensingh - by the evening of Wednesday 5 June, 1,874 factories (about 19%) had not paid Eid bonuses. In the RMG and textile sector alone, 464 factories had failed to do so, including 279 members of the BGMEA, 130 of the BKMEA and 81 of the BTMA, trade associations.

Even more worrying is the backlog of monthly wages. This week, 60% of all factories monitored, a total of 5,864, had not paid May wages. Meanwhile, 375 factories still had to pay April wages on Wednesday. In the garment and textile sector in particular, 72% of factories have not yet paid last month's wages.

Although the Ministry of Labour had set a deadline of 31 May for the payment of bonuses and 3 June for May wages, many factory managers have not complied. On 21 May, Labour Advisor Dr M. Sakhawat Hussain warned that legal action would be taken against defaulting owners, and arrest warrants were reportedly issued against five of them. However, enforcement on the ground remains weak, with widespread non-compliance.

Union leaders and workers say they are deeply frustrated. ‘Every year, the same scenario repeats itself,’ said Khairul Mamun, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre. "If workers do not receive their shares before the holidays, how can they celebrate Eid with their families? It is tragic and unfair. Such incidents happen every Eid, and it is very sad." Industrial police officials confirm ongoing unrest, particularly in Narayanganj, where 14 factories, including 11 in the textile and garment sector, have yet to settle payments. These include major companies such as Hamid Fabrics, Toha Knit Fashion, Janani Fashion and Avanti Color Tex.

The BGMEA, however, reports more optimistic figures, claiming that 96% of the 2,092 member factories operating in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid bonuses. Fifty-eight per cent have paid May salaries and only three factories - Bashundhara Apparels, Sezens Dress and Seine Apparels - are currently behind with payments. Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel told reporters: ‘As of today, 48% of factories have paid salaries and closed for holidays. The rest are expected to settle their debts on Thursday before going on break for Eid.’ Despite these claims, many workers have not been paid and uncertainty remains.

Analysts argue that the justifications given by factory owners - including power cuts, low production, banking problems and labour disputes - are insufficient. ‘Not paying workers their fair wages and bonuses during Eid, after profiting from their labour all year, is not only immoral, it is inhumane,’ said a labour rights activist. As the country prepares for one of its holiest festivals, the joy of Eid remains elusive for many of the workers who form the backbone of Bangladesh's economy.