On the occasion of ‘July Mass Uprising Day,’ a general holiday has been declared for all garment factories on August 5 (Tuesday).

This information was confirmed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). In a statement on Sunday (August 4), BGMEA said that the decision was taken to show solidarity with the government-declared general holiday and to pay tribute to the martyrs on this day.

The statement mentioned that the government has declared August 5 every year as a general holiday for ‘July Mass Uprising Day.’ However, according to labor law (Section 118 of Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, and Rule 110 of Labor Rules, 2015), garment factories are not obliged to observe any general holidays other than the 11 prescribed festival holidays per year.

Nevertheless, BGMEA is “especially requesting all member factories to observe August 5 as a general holiday in remembrance of the martyrs and in respect of the government’s decision.”

As a result of this decision, millions of workers in the country’s ready-made garment sector will get a holiday on that day, which not only honors the martyrs and carries historic significance but also provides a welcome break for the working people.