The government has decided to reopen some factories in the country despite a nationwide general holiday to counter the deadly coronavirus pandemic as it fears a sharp export decline. A notification with permission to open the factories has been issued on two conditions to keep the country’s economy active. At the same time, it also said its 18 ministries and concerned offices would stay open to provide further assistance.
And considering the situation, the fields related to industry, agriculture and production and supply system and transport will be opened in phases in future. At the same time, Bangladesh Bank has also increased the banking service duration by two hours and fixed the transaction time at four hours in commercial areas of Dhaka and Chattogram. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has said that the court will be open two days a week.
For almost a month now, all the export-oriented industries in the country, starting from textile and garment and leather manufacturing companies, have been shut down. Domestic market-oriented industries are also closed. But as Europe and the United States, the buyers of export goods, are moving towards the partial or full operation, industry owners in the country were thinking about reactivating factories.
However, they were waiting for the direction of the government. In the end, the government has given the green light to open factories complying with strict health safety guidelines.= Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has informed that if the situation improves, factories will be opened gradually. The apex body has prepared a guideline for its members for production resumption.
As per the guideline, in the first phase with 30 percent of workers, few factories will open gradually from April 26 to till May 2. In the second phase, if the situation improves, another 20 percent workers will be asked to join the factories. In this process, factories will stay open till May 21.
BGMEA former president, Md Siddiqur Rahman thanking the government for such move told journalists, “Due to the pandemic our economy is now standing still. If we cannot take immediate steps by maintaining health safety, both owners and workers will have to starve. On the other hand, neighboring countries would take advantage to get export orders”.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) leaders are also preparing to resume their knit factory operations. BKMEA first vice president Mohammad Hatem said, “We were thinking about starting factories. We have also received the direction of the government. Now we will restart factories on a regional basis in phases. For this a specific guideline will be followed”.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Mohammad Ali Khokon said, “We asked the government organisations to allow the opening of the textile mills. This sector’s spinning mills maintain safe distance among the workers. We will control unnecessary communication among workers and provide them hand gloves, masks, vitamin C and other health safety implements”.
Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) president Mohammad Saiful Islam said, “Covid-19 influence is higher in countries like Italy and Spain, but they are also taking steps to reopen their factories. The United States is also aiming to open factories from May. However, ensuring the government guidelines we can also restart our factories”.
According to Industrial Police information, despite the general holiday, a good number of factories including BGMEA, BKMEA, and BTMA member factories are continuing their production. Such factories are in Ashulia, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Khulna and Mymensingh regions. On Thursday, a total of 579 factories of all sectors were opened.
The state-run Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) said factories with ongoing purchase orders of personal protective gear, masks and other medical equipment can continue operating and maintain health safety guidelines issued by the government on preventing the spread of coronavirus in the workplace.