Dhaka, March 17 -- Nearly all factories in Gazipur's industrial belt have cleared workers' dues ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with 98 percent paying wages and 99 percent disbursing bonuses, police said.

Industrial Police Superintendent Md Amjad Hossain said, as of Tuesday, 2,790 out of 2,834 garment factories had paid wages, while 2,816 factories had cleared bonuses.

"Factory authorities have informed us that wages at 44 factories and bonuses at 18 others will be paid between Wednesday and Thursday," he said.

To ease Eid travel congestion, factories are being granted holidays in phases this year.

Police said 62 factories closed on Mar 16, followed by 444 on Mar 17, 1,414 on Mar 18, and 833 on Mar 19.

However, 81 factories will remain partial...