No RMG factory closed due to gas crisis yet; impact may show in 3 months: BGMEA president
The BGMEA president also said that the gas supply situation has improved compared with a week ago.
No readymade garment factory has so far been forced to shut down due to the recent gas supply crisis, but its actual impact on the sector may become clear after three months, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu today (17 September).
"Whenever a shock hits the sector, garment factories do not close immediately," he told a press conference at the BGMEA Bhaban in Dhaka's Uttara.
He explained that factories need time to complete orders already in the pipeline, settle workers' dues, and resolve banking-related issues before shutting down. These processes can take around six months, he said.
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"Therefore, we have to wait to understand the actual damage," he added.
The BGMEA president also said that the gas supply situation has improved compared with a week ago.
Meanwhile, more garment factories have opened than closed during the first six months of the new government, he said.
According to him, 31 factories closed during the period, while 53 new factories started operations.
Although around 14,000 workers lost their jobs, new employment was created for 24,000 workers, resulting in a net increase of 10,000 jobs in the apparel sector, said Mahmud.
