Economy
BKMEA seeks Tk 1500cr govt assistance to pay employees’ Eid bonus, salaries
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) seeks Tk 1500 crore assistance from the government to pay the employees’ bonuses and salaries ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The knitwear factory owners’ association claimed that the export-oriented sector may be in dire straits over paying workers ahead of Eid if financial assistance is not provided.
BKMEA has sent a letter regarding financial assistance to the senior secretary at Finance Division, under the Ministry of Finance.
The letter, signed by BKMEA President AKM Salim Osman, on March 30 made a request to the government for cash assistance.
BKMEA Executive Vice President Muhammad Hatem confirmed the development to the news media.
The letter stated that the global economy is in an adverse situation due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Bangladesh’s export sector is going through a challenging time during this struggle for survival as well.
Due to the ongoing global recession, most factories do not have enough work orders, so production is running at 50 to 60 percent capacity. It has become difficult to pay the workers’ salaries at the end of the month, BKMEA mentioned in the letter.
International buyers are also not paying their dues on time for the products already being exported. There is huge pressure regarding paying salaries and Eid bonuses this month, the letter added. “In such a situation, it will be very difficult to handle this pressure without the cooperation of the government and the finance department,” BKMEA said.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
