Govt urged to allow export-oriented factories to run during lockdown

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) Director Syed Nurul Islam on Saturday urged the government to allow the factories in textiles, garments, and accessories sectors to run during the lockdown by strictly maintaining health guidelines.

Islam, also a director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said the decision to keep factories operational during the lockdown will help the export-oriented sector of the country continue its struggle to sustain amid the Covid-19 situation.

Otherwise, he said, the government’s stimulus package or support will go in vain.

The chairman and CEO of Well Group of Industries made the request in a message sent to media on Saturday.

He said if the factories are allowed to operate with strict health guidelines in place, over five million workers will be able to survive.

The government has decided to put the country under a strict lockdown for a week from April 14 amid a growing number of Covid-19 cases.

Seventy-seven people died from Covid-19 during between Friday and Saturday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

This is the highest number of deaths due to Covid-19 recorded in a day so far in the country.