STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has directed factory owners to pay Eid bonuses to workers by May 21 and ensure monthly wages are cleared within the stipulated timeframe ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

The directive came at a meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) held at the Cirdap International Conference Centre in Dhaka yesterday.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister said timely payment of wages and bonuses would help maintain industrial stability during the festival.

Labour representatives assured the government that no unrest or labour dissatisfaction would arise if payments were made on time. However, they urged the authorities to intervene quickly if wages remain overdue.

The meeting was chaired by Labour and Employment Secretary Abdur Rahman Tarafder.

Labour leaders also requested special arrangements for buses, trains, and launches to ease Eid travel for industrial workers returning to their hometowns.

The labour minister said the government was committed to ensuring safe and hassle-free Eid travel for workers.

To reduce traffic congestion, factory owners have been instructed to grant holidays in phases based on mutual understanding with workers, he said.

He added that local administrations, district police, and industrial police had been instructed to ensure the timely disbursement of wages and bonuses, as well as overall security in industrial areas.

Representatives from the home ministry said law enforcement agencies had been asked to remain prepared to deal with any untoward situation during the holidays.

Among others, the event was attended by Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, president of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation; Anwar Hossain, president of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal; senior officials of the labour ministry; and representatives of employers and workers.