Stimulus for the laid-off: Only 0.5pc spent in a year

The government spent only about 0.5 percent of a Tk 1,500 crore stimulus package unveiled in 2020 for laid off workers of export-oriented apparel and leather factories.

The labour and employment ministry launched the programme in October 2020 with money granted by the European Union and Germany.

Every worker who became unemployed amid the pandemic was supposed to get a monthly allowance of Tk 3,000 for three months unless they got a new job.

As of November last year, less than Tk 8 crore was spent from the fund, according to a finance ministry review. Officials, requesting anonymity, said no significant amount has been spent since November and the picture remains the same.

The reason behind the lacklustre performance is that the labour ministry has yet to finalise a list of workers eligible for the benefit, sources said.

Goutom Kumar, director general of the Department of Labour, said only the workers who were laid off from export-oriented garment and leather factories during the shutdown of the economy in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for the support.

It is difficult to find such workers, he said, adding that the workers of other sectors like transport should also be eligible.

Seven other stimulus schemes launched in 2020 have seen little progress.

The government released a total of 14 stimulus schemes of Tk 15,279 crore in 2020 and 2021. According to the finance ministry review of November last year, 60 percent of the money has been spent.

FOOD PROGRAMMES

In 2020, the government took up a Tk 2,500 crore scheme to distribute food among the poor people for free from April-June.

Less than one-third of the money was spent for what officials said was the lack of a list of people eligible for the benefit.

However, funds allocated for the Open Market Sales programme, which sells essential food items at lower prices, were properly utilised.

Another Tk 770 crore package to sell rice at Tk 10 a kg was also utilised properly.

CASH SUPPORT

In 2020, the government planned to give cash support to 50 lakh labourers, farmers, house staff, transport workers, and teachers of schools and madrasas that are not covered under the government's MPO scheme.

Each beneficiary was supposed to get a one-time Tk 2,500 from the Tk 1,258 crore fund. On paper, the officials could disburse Tk 879.58 crore among 34 lakh people. But in reality, about 30 lakh received the money, said finance ministry officials.

In 2021, the government allocated Tk 830 crore for the same 30 lakh individuals. Tk 775 crore was spent from the funds.

INCENTIVES FOR HEALTH WORKERS

In July 2020, the Health Services Division of health ministry launched a Tk 138 crore programme to provide two months' worth of basic salary to health workers who directly treat Covid patients. Tk 130 crore was spent as of November and the programme is still continuing.

Another Tk 750 crore was allocated for families of government officials dying with symptoms of Covid-19. Thankfully, only Tk 91 crore had to be spent from this fund.