Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury on Thursday directed that wages and Eid bonuses of workers of all factories across the country be mandatorily disbursed by May 21, warning that delays could trigger industrial unrest ahead of the festival.

The directive came at the 95th session of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) and the 24th meeting of the RMG-focused Tripartite Consultative Council, held at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in the city.

Worker representatives at the meeting assured the minister that timely payment will prevent any agitation or industrial unrest.

They also urged the government to intervene swiftly against factories that have yet to clear outstanding wages.

Labour leaders also called on the government to arrange special buses, trains, and launches to make workers' Eid travel to their home districts smooth.

Responding to the concerns, the minister said the government is fully committed to ensuring safe and smooth travel for workers during the festive season.

He added that factory owners and workers' representatives reached a mutual understanding to stagger factory closures in phases to ease traffic congestion on highways. "Local administration, district police, and industrial police have received special instructions to ensure timely payment of wages and bonuses and to maintain overall security."

Representatives of the Ministry of Shipping informed the meeting that fares on all water routes, including ferries and launches, will be reduced by 10 percent to make Eid travel more affordable for workers.

Home Ministry representatives confirmed that law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert to handle any untoward situation that may arise during the period.

Among others, Bangladesh Employers' Federation President Fazle Shamim Ehsan, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain, senior officials of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and representatives from both employer and worker groups attended the meeting.