.jpg )
The decision came from a tripartite meeting of the government, factory owners and workers, said Aktarul Islam, public relations officer of Labour and Employment Ministry.
State Minister of the ministry Begum Monnujan Sufian presided over the meeting where emphasis was given on raising awareness among the workers.
Everyone has been urged to take initiatives from their respective positions. Besides, the participants asked factory owners to provide their workers with necessary safety gears.
Factory owners said the buyers have already cancelled many orders considering the global coronavirus situation. They said they fear this will have adverse effect on production and export and urged for an inter-ministerial meeting to formulate a plan to overcome the situation.
Also read: Coronavirus: Experts call for paying attention to apparel sector
BKMEA President AKM Selim Osman, Commerce Secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin, Labour Secretary KM Ali Azam, Textile and Jute Secretary Lokman Hossain Mia, Director General of Labour Department AKM Mizanur Rahman, among others, were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed 24 coronavirus cases. Experts say the labour-intensive readymade garment factories are at high risk of coronavirus given that people work at close proximity there.