Photo: BGMEA

DHAKA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - Despite mounting pressures from the global 
economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions and growing competition in 
international markets, garment entrepreneurs have successfully ensured 
payment of wages, allowances and Eid bonuses to its workers.

President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association 
(BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan said this at a press briefing held at the BGMEA 
Complex in the capital today.

Chaired by the BGMEA president, the briefing was attended by Senior Vice-
President Enamul Haq Khan, Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice-
Presidents Vidiya Amrit Khan and Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, directors Shah 
Rayeed Chowdhury, Faisal Samad, Nafis-ud-Doula, Majumdar Arifur Rahman, 
Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Ziarat Mohammad Hosne 
Komar Alam, ABM Samsuddin, Dr. Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, Rumana Rashid, Mohammad 
Sohel and Samiha Azim, among others.

In his speech, Mahmud Hasan Khan said BGMEA member factories, driven by a 
strong sense of responsibility toward workers, made all-out efforts to clear 
wages, allowances and festival bonuses despite multifaceted challenges at 
both domestic and global levels.

"As a result, workers have received their lawful dues, which has helped 
maintain peace and stability in the industrial belts," he added.

He expressed gratitude to the government for its timely and effective 
support, noting that special loan facilities on easy terms for payment of 
February wages and the swift disbursement of Taka 2,500 crore in cash 
assistance played a crucial role in easing liquidity constraints and keeping 
the sector operational.

According to the briefing, 99.91 percent of BGMEA-listed factories have paid 
February wages, while 99.81 percent have disbursed Eid bonuses. The remaining 
few factories are currently in the process of settling dues, which are 
expected to be completed within the day.

It was also noted that, although not legally required, around 64.03 percent 
of factories have provided partial March wages in advance on humanitarian 
grounds.

To facilitate smoother Eid travel and reduce congestion on highways, 
factories are granting holidays in phases based on location.
 
As of March 17, around 50 percent of factories had already declared holidays, 
with the remainder expected to do so by today and tomorrow.