Health Minister Zahid Maleque has assured the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) of vaccinating garment workers on priority basis after sufficient vaccine doses are available in the country.
The assurance came after a delegation of BGMEA led by President Faruque Hassan met with the health minister and made the request to him for ensuring vaccines for the RMG workers on priority basis considering them as front liners as they have been doing their jobs amid the pandemic to protect the economy of the country.
The BGMEA president also requested for ensuring Covid vaccines for the officials of foreign apparel brands and buyers working in Bangladesh on priority basis and the minister said it would be considered.
The BGMEA delegation included First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President Md. Shahidullah Azim and Vice President Miran Ali.
Faruque Hassan sought the assistance of the Health Ministry with regard to payment of more than 36 crore taka to some garment factories which supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) which remained due.
The health minister said the ministry would take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Lokman Hossain Miah, secretary to the Health Services Division under the health ministry and Prof Dr ABM Khurshid Alam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) were also present at the meeting, reports UNB.
