Readymade garment (RMG) factories will remain open in compliance with hygiene rules during the nationwide strict lockdown starting from Monday, said Mohammad Hatem, First Vice-President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
He told Bangladesh Post, “We have received approval from the government to keep the garment factories open under special arrangements. I talked to the cabinet secretary on Friday. He has informed that the factories would remain open during the strict lockdown.”
He said that workers or employees of factories who live away from the factories will have to stay in the vicinity of factories for a few days, or stay inside the factories. The owners of all the factories will be informed regarding this issue on Saturday.
Earlier, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said that if the garment factories are closed, workers will go to their villages creating chaos; so, the garments have to be kept open.
The employees will have to reside near the factories or inside the factories for these few days.
Special arrangements have to be made for those who will not be able to stay inside or close to the factories, he added.
The Information Ministry on Friday said that all government and private offices, except for emergency services will remain closed during the seven-day strict lockdown.
