Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have requested the Bangladesh Bank to introduce a special soft loan facility to help factory owners pay workers’ wages and bonuses ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
The proposal was placed during a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur at the central bank headquarters in the capital on Tuesday, where stakeholders discussed the ongoing challenges facing the readymade garment (RMG) sector.
Under the proposal, BGMEA leaders asked for a credit facility equivalent to two months’ wages with a three-month grace period and repayment terms spread over 12 months on easy conditions.
They said such support would ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries and bonuses, helping maintain stability in industrial zones and economic discipline.
During the meeting, representatives of the garment sector highlighted liquidity constraints and other pressures affecting factory operations.
They stressed that immediate policy support from the central bank is crucial to safeguard the sector, which plays a vital role in national exports and employment.
Governor Ahsan H Mansur assured that Bangladesh Bank would consider providing necessary policy support to ease financial pressure on factories.
He also pledged priority attention to the release of pending cash incentives, particularly for small and medium enterprises, and indicated measures to improve liquidity flow so that workers’ dues can be cleared before Eid.
Officials said discussions will continue to finalise possible support mechanisms for the sector.
