Bangladesh reopens 600 apparel units despite virus risk

30 Apr '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Over 500 garment factories in Bangladesh capital Dhaka and Chittagong reopened early this week after a month-long closure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Workers living near the factories are the first to return to the production lines, according to Rubana Huq, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

At least 856 factories will be reopened soon, Huq said, adding that she was under pressure to reopen factories after the COVID-19 outbreak cost the garment industry more than $3 billion in orders that were cancelled or suspended, a global newswire reported.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association vice president Mohammad Hatem said the association is making sure workers wear masks, wash hands at the entrance of the units, undergo temperature checks and maintain social distancing.

Bangladesh began its coronavirus lockdown in late March, when factory owners stopped production apart from some sewing of personal protection equipment. Workers left the capital, Dhaka, and the nearby Narayanganj and Gazipur areas in waves, heading back to their village homes.

At an April 25 meeting, Salman F Rahman, an influential adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the government was keen to see garment manufacturers slowly reopen factories in phases.

Bangladesh has around 4,000 garment factories employing 4.1 million workers.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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