Pay salary, Eid bonus to garment workers before Eid: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday asked the garment factory owners to pay the half salary for June and Eid bonus to the garment workers before Eid-ul-Azha.

“The garment owners have been asked to pay 15-day salary for the month of June and Eid bonus before Eid-ul-Azha vacation,” he told reporters after a meeting over law and order situation ahead of Eid-ul-Azha at the Secretariat.

The minister also said that the law enforcing agencies would tightly watch the situation to avoid any unrest in the garment sector over the payment of salary and other perks.

He also asked the garment owners to provide Eid leave in phases to ensure a smooth journey home for millions of workers.

This year, a total of 8,399 cattle markets will be set up across the country as the Eid-ul-Azha is scheduled to be held on June 29 or June 30 depending on the sighting of the moon of Zilhaj month.

Issuing a warning note, the minister said that no one, including the members of law enforcing agencies, will be allowed to stop cattle-laden vehicles on road without any specific information.

“If anyone is found involved in stopping cattle-laden vehicles then the local superintendents should be informed as soon as possible and measures will be taken,” he said.

Watch towers and CCTV cameras will be installed in important intersections and cattle markets, he added.

He also asked the cattle traders to hang a banner on top of cattle-laden vehicles tagging the specific cattle market.

No cattle haats will be allowed on highways and roads, and the signboard of ‘hasil’ should be visible at the cattle market, said Asaduzzaman.

A temporary police camp will be installed at the cattle market to ensure while plainclothes police officials will be deployed there, said the minister.

ATM booths, fake note detecting machines and veterinary physicians will be available at the cattle markets, he said.

Talking about the doping gang at bus and launch terminals, rail stations and ferry ghats, the minister said the intelligence agencies will remain alert about the activities of such gangs.

The surveillance by intelligence teams will be increased to prevent robbery, mugging, stealing and other criminal activities during the Eid holidays while Rab patrolling will remain visible during this period, he said.

To ensure traffic movement, police and Ansar members will perform their duties on roads, highways and important points of the cities and intersections, he added.

Noting that 24 points have been identified as risky for traffic congestion, Asaduzzaman said that special measures will be taken in these places and the highway police, district police and other law enforcing agencies will work jointly to ensure smooth journey of Eid holidaymakers.

To avoid accidents in waterways, the minister said the authorities concerned will take action for carrying extra passengers beyond capacity of a launch and taking extra charges from the passengers, he said.

Talking about the Eid congregation, the minister urged all to abide by health guidelines.

Replying to a question about the extension of the vacation of the upcoming Eid-ul Azha by a day, the minister said no decisions have been taken yet.

Replying to a question about cattle smuggling from any country through the bordering areas, the minister said the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry has already sent a letter regarding the issue, and the border guards are ready to prevent any smuggling of cattle from the neighbouring countries.