All garment factories to remain closed on August 5

All garment factories across the country will be closed on August 5, following a directive from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The closure is in observance of the “July Mass Uprising Day,” which commemorates the popular student-led uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government.

The announcement was made in a notice signed by Major Md. Saiful Islam, Acting Secretary of BGMEA, on Sunday. The government declared August 5 a general holiday through a circular issued by the Cabinet Division on July 2.

According to the BGMEA, garment factories usually observe 11 festival holidays annually, as mandated by Section 118 of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 and Rule 110 of the Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015. Since the July Mass Uprising Day was declared a holiday mid-year, it was not included in the initial list of festival holidays.

As a result, labor law does not obligate factories to close on August 5. Nevertheless, out of respect for the martyrs of the uprising and in solidarity with the government’s decision, BGMEA has requested all garment factories to observe the day as a general holiday.