According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, 344 readymade garment factories have not yet paid bonuses ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest Muslim festivals, scheduled for next week. Factories were required to clear bonuses by the 20th of Ramadan and pay half of March’s salary before Eid. While BGMEA data shows that 83.67% of RMG factories in Dhaka and Chattogram had cleared bonuses by March 24 and 98.53% had cleared February wages, 84 factories have only partially paid or not paid March wages. Stakeholders expect these issues to be resolved by the end of the week or before the holidays.
Concerns are growing as 36 factories face high risks of failing to meet wage, bonus, and allowance obligations due to financial constraints, despite earlier estimates suggesting up to 500 factories might struggle. Protests over unpaid wages have erupted across major industrial hubs. At JMS Garments in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone, workers blocked Airport Road, and at Roar Fashion in Bhaluka, about 1,200 workers protested at BGMEA Bhaban in Uttara. In Gazipur, workers from TNZ Apparels blocked roads in Paltan, while demands for extended Eid holidays triggered unrest at Sterling Designs in Kaliakair and Fame Design in Narayanganj—where officials were attacked and several workers hospitalized.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem remains hopeful that all payments will be made before Eid, ensuring workers can celebrate with their families, even as factory owners face significant financial challenges and unrest continues over extended holiday demands.
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