Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Rubana Huq said on Thursday that 87 per cent of garment workers were paid of their wages.
The rest 13 per cent workers are likely to receive their wages by April 20 to 23.
Rubana Huq said, "Smaller factories, which do subcontract work and supply to both traditional and non-traditional markets, are facing a liquidity problem.
"Even the big suppliers are facing problems, as big buyers are also cancelling orders, paying late and asking for discounts."
Rubana Huq further said, "The BGMEA has already approached the banks seeking support for those smaller factories, and those banks are also trying to cooperate. Workers of some of the smaller factories, that are not even members of the BGMEA, are out on the streets holding demonstrations.
"So, it has become our issue anyway, which we have to look into," she said, adding, "Without the buyers' support, solving the issues of those smaller factories will be difficult."
"The BGMEA is tirelessly working with the financial institutions to come to the assistance of those small factories. The challenge here is not only in securing the banks' agreement to fund, but also about the entire country being under lockdown and all institutions operating on limited hours."
SZA
