Dhaka, May 25 -- Thousands of workers across Bangladesh's key industrial belts entered the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period facing uncertainty as a significant number of factories failed to clear festival allowances and April wages despite repeated government instructions and fresh cash support for exporters.

About 37 per cent, or 3,745 factories, under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Police (IP) across eight industrial zones in the country had yet to pay festival allowances until Sunday despite the government's directive to clear the dues by May 21.

Besides, more than 535 factories, including 155 textile and garment units, failed to pay April wages a day before the Eid-ul-Azha holiday began, according to IP data.

According to the Industr...