As per a survey by the Transparency International Bangladesh, the stimulus package announced by the government has failed to reach over 42 per cent of garment workers despite being one of the poorest segments of the population and hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic

The TIB study—RMG sector in Covid-19 crisis: governance challenges and way forward—was carried out between May and November, reports the Daily Star.

The total allocation of the stimulus packages for the garment sector was Tk 62,879 crore, out of which Tk 59,090 crore came as a soft loan from the government and Tk 3,789 crore as financial assistance from development agencies, brands, the European Union and countries such as Germany.

Of the sum, 16 per cent was meant for paying salaries and wages to the workers. So far, Tk 9,000 crore has been disbursed as the wages and allowances, the TIB said.

A majority of the micro, small and medium-sized factories are engaged in subcontracting, he said.

A significant delay in the disbursement of fund to the micro, small and medium enterprises is the main reason for the 42 per cent workers not being able to benefit from the assistance, Iftekharuzzaman said.

So far, banks and other financial institutions could disburse only 29 per cent of the Tk 20,000 crore allocated for the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs).