The cash support programme, whose start would be backdated to September, was inaugurated by State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian on Tuesday. While a list was prepared with help from the sectors’ trade bodies, Sufian urged the workers to enlist their names through digital means in their respective factories for becoming eligible for the cash support. About 70,000 workers from about 300 factories lost jobs, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. However, there is no concrete data about the job loss in the export-oriented leather and footwear industries as well as the knitwear sectors. The minister went on to urge the international community and development partners to come forward with more financial support for workers if the pandemic fallout prolongs.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 22, 2020 18:45 UTC