State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian today urged the garment factory owners to clear workers' salaries and bonuses by July 19.

"Stern actions will be taken as per the labour law in case of failure to clear the payments within the stipulated time," she said at a press conference at Shromo Bhavan in Dhaka.

She also urged the factory owners to take into consideration the due leaves of the workers and then give go-ahead to them for Eid holidays.

The government has relaxed countrywide restrictions from July 15 to July 22 and the state minister has urged the general mass to avoid moving from one place to another during the period.

However, the cabinet division has recently issued a notification imposing strict lockdown countrywide from July 23 to August 5.

"If possible, celebrate Eid in Dhaka. I understand that it is very difficult for the workers to celebrate the Eid in the capital. But don't forget you have to survive first," the state minister said.

She said field level officials of the labour ministry have been directed to motivate workers aged 35 years and above to get vaccinated under the government's effort for mass vaccination.

At the meeting, the owners' representatives claimed that June salaries have already been paid to almost all the factory workers.

However, labour leaders Sirajul Islam Rony and Nazma Akter refused to accept the claim and said some factories are yet to pay their workers.

Labour Secretary KM Abdus Salam and Inspector General of the Department of Factory and Establishment Inspection Nasir Uddin Ahmed were also present at the meeting.