The European Union is mobilizing over €334 million for the fight against COVID-19 and its consequences in Bangladesh. This alongwith a €20 million German grant will help the Government of Bangladesh to provide cash assistance to workers in the export-oriented industries adversely affected by the economic fallout of the pandemic, and contribute to boost the resilience of the national social protection system.
This amount is part of the EU’s ongoing development cooperation programs in Bangladesh. The Union is already addressing many areas crucial in the COVID-response and the recovery of the economy. The €334 million allocated to help Bangladesh fight the pandemic is on top of the ongoing programmes, the European Union said in a rectn press release.
In addition, the French Development Agency – Agence Française de Développement – (AFD) will support the Bangladesh Government with €150 million to improve the country’s social protection measures.
The €113 million grant will suffice for three months of wages to about 1 million workers laid off by readymade garment (RMG) factories in Bangladesh. Under the grant, a worker will get Tk3,000 a month for June, July, and August.
