EU, German cash aid for unemployed workers
In the first phase, on Monday, 1,794 workers got Tk3,000 each for the month of September, and the aid will continue for three months
The government has launched a cash assistance programme for unemployed and distressed workers in readymade garment, leather goods and footwear industries.
In the first phase, on Monday, 1,794 workers got Tk3,000 each for the month of September, and the aid will continue for three months.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian inaugurated the programme as the chief guest at Sromo Bhaban in the city.
Sources said about 10,000 will get this financial benefit from the European Union (EU) and Germany's Social Protection fund, although factory owners have submitted 16,600 workers' names. The remaining 6,600 have been left out as their employers have not given proper information about them.
Earlier in this regard, the EU and Germany signed an agreement to provide €113 million in support to the government's "Social Protection Programme for Unemployed and Distressed Workers in the RMG, Leathergoods and Footwear Industries".
The EU and Germany have estimated that about 10 lakh workers in the sectors, who have been unemployed and distressed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On this occasion, acting President of National Women's Workers League Begum Samsun Nahar MP, Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Employment KM Abdus Salam, German Charge d' Affaires in Bangladesh Constanza Zaehringer, Head of Co-operation of the EU Maurizio Cian and BKMEA Director Fazlee Shamim Ehsan also spoke.
Among others, representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers Association of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters Association were also present on the occasion.
