Workers’ dues to be paid by 20th Ramadan

Senior Staff Reporter Published: 13 March 2025, 11:40 AM

Workers’ dues to be paid by 20th Ramadan

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A decision was made during the 85th meeting of the Tripartite Consultation Committee (TCC) that factory authorities will pay all outstanding dues, including workers' wages and bonuses, by the 20th of Ramadan. The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the decision on Wednesday night (March 12).

The meeting reviewed the labour situation ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with discussions focused on workers' wages, bonuses, and leave in the industrial sector. It also addressed key issues such as law and order in labor-intensive areas and the distribution of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products by the Ministry of Commerce.

The TCC reached joint decisions on seven key issues, including:

1. Workers cannot be dismissed or laid off before Eid-ul-Fitr.

2. Factory management and worker representatives will decide on the start date for Eid-ul-Fitr leave according to labor laws, with consistency across neighboring factories encouraged.

3. Factory authorities must pay all outstanding wages and bonuses by the 20th of Ramadan, with at least 15 days' wages for March to be paid based on the employer’s ability.

4. The Finance Division, Ministry of Commerce, and Bangladesh Bank will be urged to take necessary steps for the payment of cash incentives owed to employer groups such as BGMEA and BKMEA.

5. Law enforcement agencies will monitor the overall situation, including the payment of workers' dues and leave arrangements ahead of Eid.

6. A central monitoring cell, led by the Additional Secretary (Labour) of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, will be formed to oversee the situation, with representatives from both workers' and employers' sides, as well as relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies.

7. Banks in labor-intensive industrial areas must remain open until March 28-29.

The meeting, chaired by AHM Safiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, was attended by representatives from both workers' and employers' groups, as well as officials from various ministries, the Industrial Police, the Bangladesh Army, the Department of Factory and Establishment Inspection, and the Labor Directorate.