DHAKA, May 3: Bangladesh garment manufacturers on Saturday said they would distribute subsidised rice to thousands of lowest-paid workers to help them cope with skyrocketing food prices.

The announcement came after around 20,000 textile workers rioted in one of the main garment-making areas near Dhaka last month, demanding relief from soaring rice prices and better pay.

Under the scheme, a worker will get four kilograms of rice a week from subsidised outlets in the country’s main garment hubs, said president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Fazlul Haq.

“We know how much they have been affected by soaring rice. It’s a huge crisis. Our outlets will sell rice at least 30 per cent less than the market price,” Haq told AFP.

“The cheap food is part of our initiative to help them in this time of need,” he said.

Bangladesh’s garment industry is crucial for the economy as the leading export earner and factory owners have said they fear labour unrest over food costs could hit production.

The subsidised food scheme, slated to start on Monday, would be targeted at the garment workers who are being paid the country’s minimum wage and would help at least 200,000, said Haq, whose association represents 1,500 factories.

There are about 2.5 million textile workers in Bangladesh. The government-set minimum monthly wage stands 1,662.62 taka ($25). One kilogram of rice now costs 35 taka (50 cents) – normally enough to feed a family of four for one day.—AFP