To address the ongoing crisis in the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector—the main driving force of the national economy—and to ensure timely payment of wages, allowances, and bonuses to workers ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, an urgent meeting was held with the Honorable Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Ahsan H Mansur.

The meeting was attended by BGMEA Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan and Vice President Shehab Udduza Chowdhury. It took place on 24 February 2026 (Tuesday), at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters.

During the meeting, BGMEA leaders explained that the garment industry is currently passing through a deep crisis due to declining global demand and prices, an abnormal rise in production costs, and ongoing global geopolitical instability. In particular, owing to an extended general holiday around the National Parliamentary Election and observances such as Language Martyrs’ Day, the number of effective production days in February—already a 28-day month—fell to only 19 days. As a result, regular shipments have been disrupted, pushing factories toward acute financial stress. In this situation, ensuring timely payment of wages and Eid bonuses has become a major challenge for entrepreneurs.

To address these challenges, BGMEA leaders placed the following recommendations before the Honorable Governor:

• Release of Pending Cash Assistance:

A large number of cash incentive claims are currently stalled due to complexities involving lien banks and Bangladesh Bank’s audit processes. In FY 2025–26, approximately BDT 57 billion in incentives for the textile and garment sector remains unsettled. Prompt disbursement would significantly ease factories’ liquidity constraints.

• Priority for SME Enterprises:

BGMEA leaders emphasized that, in line with the list submitted by BGMEA, cash assistance pending for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be released on a priority basis.

• Wage Support Loan:

To facilitate payment of wages and bonuses for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, BGMEA requested a special loan facility equivalent to two months’ wages, with a three-month grace period and repayment over 12 months.

• Policy Support:

Reintroduction of loan support under Packing Credit (PC) with the interest rate reduced to 7 percent; expansion of the Pre-Shipment Credit Scheme fund from BDT 50 billion to BDT 100 billion; and extension of the scheme’s tenure until 2030.

BGMEA leaders informed the Governor that ensuring timely payment of workers’ dues is critically important for maintaining stability in industrial areas and for the overall economic order of the country. They stressed that swift and timely action by Bangladesh Bank is essential to protect this key sector of the national economy from current adversities. They further noted that policy decisions taken by Bangladesh Bank at this juncture would play a vital role in safeguarding industry, workers, and the broader economy during this crisis period.

The Honorable Governor, Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, listened attentively to the BGMEA leaders and assured them of necessary policy support from Bangladesh Bank to help overcome the crisis in the garment sector. In response to BGMEA’s requests, he expressed his commitment to taking positive measures to ensure the prompt, priority-based release of cash assistance—particularly for SME enterprises—and to easing factories’ liquidity constraints so that workers’ dues can be paid on time ahead of Eid.