Despite there being only two days left until Eid-ul-Azha, a key directive in the country’s ready-made garment and textile sector reveals that 17% of factories have still not paid the Eid bonus to their workers. According to information obtained by the Industrial Police, this situation persisted as of the afternoon of June 4. Moreover, when considering all industrial sectors under the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), approximately 21% of factories nationwide have yet to fulfill their bonus obligations.
Workers’ Situation Regarding Wages and Bonuses Although it is expected that withheld bonuses would stir unrest among workers ahead of the holiday, DIFE and Industrial Police officials report that, up to this point, there have been no significant protests or demonstrations. Workers have not yet resorted to any collective action or strikes. However, a worrying detail is that in at least 82 of these factories, even the wages for April have not been paid. While definitive data on May salaries is not available, it is known that some factory owners have made partial or full payments for May wages.
Recommended Actions and Expectations
As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, heightened emotions, increased expenses, and the need to support extended family can quickly exacerbate any workplace grievances. Therefore, by promptly calculating and disbursing all outstanding bonuses and salaries, factory owners can alleviate workers’ stress and maintain productivity. It is imperative that authorities and factory owners take immediate measures to clear these arrears, ensuring that workers can meet their basic needs—especially during the festive period—and preventing the rise of large-scale discontent.
