Pay workers' Eid bonus by May 21: Labour Minister

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has directed all factories in the country to pay workers their Eid-ul-Azha bonuses by May 21. Factory owners have also been instructed to ensure timely payment of monthly wages.

The directives were issued at the 95th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council and the 24th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council for the readymade garment sector at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in the capital on Thursday, May 14.

Labour leaders said timely payment of wages and bonuses would eliminate any risk of unrest or protest in industrial areas. However, they called for government intervention in factories where wages remain overdue.

Labour representatives also demanded special arrangements for buses, trains and launches to ensure smooth journeys for workers during Eid.

The minister said the government is committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable Eid journey for workers. He also noted that a decision has been taken to stagger factory holidays to reduce traffic congestion on the roads.

He further stated that local administrations, district police and industrial police have been given necessary instructions to ensure wage and bonus payments and overall security in industrial areas.

A representative of the Ministry of Shipping informed the meeting that fares for ships and launches on various routes have been reduced by 10 percent to facilitate workers' travel during Eid. A Home Ministry representative said law enforcement agencies have been kept ready to deal with any untoward situation.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, including Fazle Shamim Ehsan and Anwar Hossain, along with representatives of factory owners and workers, attended the meeting.