As the country's garment manufacturing continues to be the most severely affected industry by fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the textile and garment manufacturers and exporters demanded of the government to keep the factories open to offset their losses during the lockdown period.
They also feared incurring a big loss and shifting of work orders from Bangladesh to other countries if they cannot continue the production and shipments of goods to their international trading partners.
Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and some top garment manufacturers and exporters on Sunday urged the government to keep open the factories at a joint press conference at a city hotel.
Leaders of Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Garment and Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association also took part in the joint press conference.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak began in March 2020, its impact has been felt across the country’s apparel and textile sector.
Mohammad Abdus Salam, acting president of BGMEA, said the local garment suppliers have been struggling to recoup the business losses that they incurred during the first phase of the COVID-19.
For instance, in the last fiscal year (FY20), Bangladesh lost garment export worth more than $6billion from the previous fiscal year (FY19).
"In the fiscal 2018-19, Bangladesh exported garment items worth $34.12 billion, but the amount fell to $27.94billion in the fiscal 2019-20," Salam said.
Moreover, work orders worth $3.18billion was either cancelled or held up by the international retailers and brands due to the fallouts of the pandemic.
Later, 90 percent work orders were reinstated with discount and delayed payment, Salam added.
Similar kind of situation may arise if the production is lost and timely shipments of goods cannot be done.
Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former BGMEA president, said adequate safety measures have already been taken at the factory levels to protect the workers from the COVID-19 infection.
Faruque Hassan, BGMEA president-elect, sought cooperation for keeping open of the factories as there is a fear of work order losses.
Hassan also said that the factory owners will have to face trouble in paying the salaries and festival allowances for the workers if they cannot run and ship the goods timely.
