FBD Desk:

At one time the wheel of the economy came to a standstill as a result of the global epidemic Covid-19. But gradually everything has returned to normal. Although the wheel of the economy is very normal, the number of Covid victims has not decreased but is increasing. That being said, Corona’s second step will be even more terrifying.

The second wave of corona could hit the garment industry, the country’s largest export earner. There are measures to protect workers in the garment industry against covid. Entrepreneurs are talking about holding production by continuing it. Unlike the first step of Corona, the second step does not require additional preparation, but it is possible to deal with the second step of Covid with the previous preparation. And labor leaders are in favor of closing down factories if they fail to maintain social distance as well as improve overall safety.

They say that in the interest of the country and the people, the government, owners and experts will proceed on the basis of advice.

Eighty-four percent of the country’s export earnings come from the readymade garments sector (RMG). Bangladesh exported  34 billion worth of garments in the 2018-19 fiscal year. The international trade system was severely damaged by the Covid late last year. This has affected the garment sector, with a major crisis in early March. Exports declined, and many garment factories closed at that time.

Entrepreneurs in the garment industry have taken drastic steps since the beginning of the global epidemic. Self-specialist medical zone-based centers are set up, home quarantine is arranged in the factory or at home whenever there is any increase in the temperature of the body of the worker. Entrepreneurs bear all the expenses till the moment of recovery and return to work.

At a time when the world is talking about the horrors of the second phase of corona, the entrepreneurs in the garment sector say that no additional steps are needed to deal with covid. And labor leaders claim that more security is needed in view of its horrors. Production in factories should be based on the opinion of the government and experts. If security cannot be strengthened, it is a good idea to close the factory.

According to a statement issued by several workers ‘organizations, including the Bangladesh Garment Workers’ Solidarity, the number of corona infestations has been on the rise recently, with all educational institutions, including universities, closed and meetings and rallies banned. However, most of the workers’ organizations demanded that additional security measures be put in place for the workers, keeping in mind the second stage of coronation. The factory can be kept open on the basis of expert opinion, it is necessary to think about the country and the people.

Labor leader Abul Hossain said, “I have no comment on the closure of the factory in the first place.” At the moment the situation is not like closing the factory, the government has to work with the opinion of experts. The government will decide what it should do. The second phase of corona is coming, the number of deaths and infections is also increasing. We need to be more careful about this. Every citizen should accept the issue of mask and hand washing. It is difficult to maintain social distance in the field of labor, even if it is possible in the factory, it becomes random on the streets. This is the reality, we have to accept it. BGMEA, BKMEA may argue, but safety measures must be maintained, I do not think there is a need to keep the factory running if it cannot provide additional security to the workers. First we have to save the workers, we have to give them security, we have to be in production by doing everything.

In this regard, the Vice President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem said that the first step is being taken in the garment sector to tackle Kovid. Washing hands before entering the factory has been made compulsory, everyone is coming after wearing face masks, joining work while maintaining social distance. Bleaching water is being sprinkled on the body of every worker, their temperature is being measured. If a worker has a high body temperature, he is being sent home or kept in quarantine. In this case, we can say that even if the second wave of corona comes, there is no need to take any additional steps.(Source : Online)