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Garment units give a hand in need

In a praiseworthy move, some factories shelter flood-hit workers to keep up export target

Kausar Islam Ayon
The flood affected readymade garment factories in Dhaka and adjoining areas are trying to continue their production to meet export deadline while providing shelter and food to the workers at the same time.
More than 1,100 factories the capital have been struck by the worst flooding in years, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The factories have now become temporary home to hundreds of employees. Their
belongings can be found between the rows of machines on the production floors.
The rooftops are filled with wet clothing of the workers left to dry. Apart from the ones who have started to stay in the factories as the flood has submerged their homes, other employees who come to work by wading through chest deep water at places, are using the roof for the same purpose.
"I come from Meradia and always bring an extra set of clothes so that I can change when I reach the factory. By the time I head back, my wet cloth is dry again,"
said Jesmin who works at the Pole-star Garments in Uttar Goran. Pole-star's management has provided accommodation to 150 workers badly affected by the flood out of its 495 employees.
The daily routine of the workers has also changed. The usual stream of men and woman going out for lunch can no longer be seen. No one brings any food from home. They collect the lunch from caterers employedby the factory.
Most of the workers have expressed their gratitude towards factory authorities for standing by them in times of need.
"No relief has been distributed
in my area although it has been hit hard by the flood. Without my employer's help, I might not have lived," said Ramisa Begum of Dragon Sweater in Malibagh.
Owners of these factories said that worker attendance improved after they offered them shelter and foods. During past floods, it had come down to around sixty percent as most of the garment workers reside in the low-lying areas that easily became inundated.
A large number of workers are still facing obstacles in coming to work most of whom are women.
"I can not concentrate on my work as I am always worried that my two children may fall down in the six feet deep water that has engulfed my home in Meradia," said Rehana Begum of Pole-star fashion Ltd.
"I constantly remain worried till I get back home. An accident could happen anytime. I could have worked in peace if my children had got shelter here," added Rehana. Like her, many other women workers want to stay in the factories until the waters recede but for already crammed factories, it is not always possible to offer them a roof.
Many of the employees who could not join work or could not take shelter leaving their homes are concerned that they could be laid off.
"I am worried whether I still have a job," said Fatema Begum who became marooned in Nandiparain Madertek. She could not go to her work place for seven days.
But one of the directors of BGMEA has assured that employees who have failed to attend work
because of the flood will not lose theirjobs.
However, he could not say whether the absent workers would gettheirwages. "Itwilldependson the factory management and the post flood situation."
"We are providing shelter and food to them so that we can continue the production and help them at the same time," said Shafiqul Islam, owner of Alliance garments who is also a director of BGMEA.
Factory owners are hoping that if they can carry on the production this way, the deluge would not have as severe an impact
on this sector as feared at first. But some manufacturers are wary of missing deadlines as they are suffering from shortage of storage facilities which is makingit difficult to preserve raw materials like yarns and fabrics.
Although many garment factories have shifted their operations to upper floors under makeshift arrangements, they could not save the entire production. Floodwater has already damaged some raw materials stocked in ground floors and basements in about 200 garments.
The BGMEA has appealed to the international buyers to show an understanding attitude given the current flood situation in the country.
To deal with the disruption of road and rail communication, the BGMEA plans to introduce special cargo trains and ferries over the Meghna River to Comilla, from where the cargo can be transported to the Chittagong port for shipment.