Production at around 70 factories was again hampered on Monday due to labour unrest in the Ashulia and Bypail areas, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
“At least 70 factories in Ashulia were closed in the face of protests by garment workers. Production is going on in the other factories,” said Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Export Association, or BGMEA.
The valid demands of labour will be met and the law enforcement forces, factory owners, and BGMEA representatives are working together to improve the situation, he said.
“All the factories will remain open tomorrow (Tuesday) amid protest and the law enforcement forces increased their vigilance to keep the situation under control,” added BGMEA president.
According to industrial police sources, workers of several garment factories walked out in the morning on Monday. At least 70 factories had to close in the face of the workers' coordinated protests.
Army has been deployed along with RAB, Police, and BGB to control the situation and prevent sabotage.
Meanwhile, former workers of a garment factory called Lenny Fashion staged a protest in front of the main gate of the old zone of Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). They protested to demand outstanding dues.
The workers complained that even though the factory was closed four years ago, their dues have not yet been paid. They announced that they would continue their agitation until action is taken to clear their dues.
BGMEA Director Shovon Islam told UNB that there was no unrest in July and August in the Ashulia and Bypail areas. But workers are now gathering in front of different factories and trying to sabotage factories.
As a result, the owners of around 70 factories, out of 407 in Ashulia and Bypail, had to take the difficult decision of shutting their facilities.
BGMEA, the powerful trade body of the industry, remains in talks with workers, labour leaders, and law enforcement agencies to cooperate in opening all the factories tomorrow (Tuesday)), he pointed out.
The factories in other areas of Gazipur opened on Monday with production running in full swing, he said.