Desk Report (RMG Times)  Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged all of its members to refrain from notifying their workers to return to their workstations until a concrete decision is taken on reopening factories.

“To keep the economy running and considering the overall situation, BGMEA will advise you on opening of factories,” it said in a general directive to its members on Friday, reports UNB.

Mentioning that a zone-wise staggered approach will be adopted to open the factories in a limited capacity, the association advised for asking only the workers who are living near the factories to join work.

Most of the garment workers had returned to their villages as the government declared a country wide general holiday to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Besides, it asked the factory owners not to lay off any worker on humanitarian grounds.

Regarding retrenchment, the BGMEA has requested member units not to retrench any workers on humanitarian ground.

“If under any circumstances, the workers residing outside return to Dhaka in an unsupported and irregular way, BGMEA will not be able to help as an association in this regards,” it warned.

It also said that factory opening date will be communicated to members through email.

Earlier on April 4, thousands of garment workers scrambled to reach their work places in Dhaka and adjoining areas, raising risks of coronavirus infection as apparel owners decided to reopen their factories on April 5.