Laying off workers from June, says Rubana Huq

Dr. Rubana Huq, president of BGMEA, said the ready-made garments will have no choice but to lay off workers this June as consumer demand is declining worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The chief of the trade body on Thursday made the disclosure in a virtual press conference on the occasion of the country's firt 'state of the art COVID-19 laboratory' for carrying out the coronavirus test of workers.

"Retrenchment will start in factories from this June and this is unexpected reality but nothing to do. Because the factories are in operation with 55 percent capacity," she said.

She also said they are talking to the government about post lay-off situation of the workers and how the crisis they can overcome.

"But this situation can change suddenly, and the laid off workers will get priority in joining work," Rubana added.

At the briefing, she mentioned purchase orders worth around 3.15bn dollar were cancelled during the outbreak. Out of these, 26 percent returned.