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RMG workers get food ration today

Each worker to receive maximum 20kg rice a month

Porimol Palma
Food rationing for the garment workers finally starts today after a long pondering of the factory owners on fixing the rate of rice amid price hike of essentials.
Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will inaugurate the programme launched by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) atTejgaon today.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will inaugurate food rationing in Ashulia tomorrow.
BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy said around 550 readymade garment factories have already sought rationed rice/ for workers. The total number of workers in these factories will be around four to five lakh.
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Murshedy said, "We requested the government to continue the programme round the year once it starts. The programme will enhance the industry's image abroad."
Under the programme, each worker will get five kilograms of rice a week at Tk 16 a kg. Each worker will be able to buy no more than 20 kg a mon th. The garment factories will procure the rice from government at Tk 14.5 per kg
The trade bodies were scheduled to start the rationing programme in April with the rice priceatTk 18akg. However, as the price came down in April-May, the government re-fixed the rate atTk 16.TheBGMEAandBKMEA leaders proposed a lesser price of Tk 15 per kg but the government did not agree to that.
Against the backdrop, the trade bodies are now starting the programme where the government is giving 33 to 50 percent subsidy.
There are around 30 lakh garment workers contributing hugely to the national economy. Majority of them are females. These workers often allege of low wages and arrears, which oftentimes lead to ransacking factories and street violence.
Hade leaders said the rationing will be helpful to both die workers, who will be able to purchase each kg of rice at least Tk 5 less than the market price, and
factories, which face enormous challenges, including weak infrastructure and power shortage.
Initially the government has allocated 2,100 metric tonnes of rice for the factories listed under BKMEAand 10,800metric tonnes for the factories under BGMEA. officials at the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management said.
The BGMEA and BKMEA signed separate agreements with the ministry under which they will assign a dealer from each factory to purchase the rationed rice.
The dealers will provide their affidavits to the government and deposit die purchase money in authorised banks prior to collecting rice from government warehouses.
BKMEA First Vice President Abdur Rashed said. "We want the workers to get riceat least atTk 4 to 5 lesser price even when the market price goes up or down, lliis will add to the lives of the workers.”
Asked if die government has enough stock for die programme. Director General of Food Directorate Pius Costa said an estimate suggested that annually the BKMEA and BGMEA listed factories require 6 lakh metric tonnes of rice. At present the government has 12 lakh metric tonnes in stock and the surplus, meant for QMS (Open Market Sales), could also be allocated for the programme.