Laying off workers from June, says Rubana Huq

BGMEA president Dr Rubana Huq has said the readymade garments will have no option but to lay off the workers from this June as the demand of consumers is decreasing globally due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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

"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.