The leaders of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have urged the government to clear the arrear export incentives worth Tk 1,500 crore to help them pay workers' bonus and other dues for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The BKMEA made the request through a letter to the finance ministry on March 30, said Mohammad Hatem, executive president of the association.

Around Tk 3,500 crore export incentive was due as of December last year and the government released Tk 2,800 last year, he said.

Since then, the amount kept increasing again to reach Tk 1,500 crore as of March 2023, Hatem said.

If the government pays the amount, the exporters of all sectors, including garment, will be able to pay the workers' festival bonus and other dues in time, he said.

Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said he supports the BKMEA proposal, although he did not submit any such formal letter to the finance ministry.