Country's readymade garment (RMG) industry will operate with full workforce through strictly following the health safety protocols issued by the government on Monday.
The government imposed again a set of restrictions following the rising cases of Covid-19 infection in the country.
When asked, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Dr Rubana Huq said: "The factories will operate as usual through maintaining the full safety protocols. This has been communicated to the authorities concerned."
Meantime, the BGMEA in a circular advised all its members to strictly maintain staggered entry and exit for the workers to avoid crowd at the gates.
The second wave of Covid-19 has started before fully overcoming the first wave, the circular said. The infection rate of the industry was only 0.03 per cent and the infection could be controlled due to the collective measures and maintaining the health safety guidelines in factories properly, it added.
The trade body also requested its members to strictly follow the health safety protocol and factory opening guidelines to ensure workers' health safety. When asked, labour secretary KM Abdus Salam said they have sent the instructions to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) for monitoring the situation.
Responding to a question about garment factory operation with 50 per cent workforce, he said they would discuss the issue with all concerned, including the RMG factory owners, and take required measures.
"As Tuesday was a holiday, we will discuss it with all concerned on Wednesday and take required measures accordingly," he told the FE on Tuesday.
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