Staff Reporter :
Garment workers in most factories across Savar and Ashulia’s industrial zones resumed their duties on Saturday morning following weeks of labour unrest over worker demands.
Despite this, 49 factories remain closed, with 36 shut under provisions of the Labour Act.
Factory management cited ongoing concerns as the reason for the remaining closures. Authorities, including the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and local police, have been actively patrolling the areas since early morning.
Military and police personnel have also been stationed at various factory gates to maintain order.
Under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act 2006, employers are permitted to close down a section or the entirety of an establishment in the event of an illegal strike. In such cases, workers who participate in the strike are not entitled to wages.
According to Ashulia Industrial Zone Police-1, the majority of the closed factories belong to the garment sector, although several pharmaceutical and leather goods manufacturing facilities are also affected. Some factories are reportedly in negotiations with their workers over their demands.
In response to the workers’ grievances, several factories have posted notices at their main gates addressing the issues, prompting workers to return to their duties.
Khayrul Mamun, Legal Affairs Secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, stated that most garment factories that had been closed have reopened as of Saturday morning.
“A few factories are still engaged in discussions with their workers regarding their demands,” he added. Mamun expressed hope that a sincere approach from management could resolve the ongoing issues in the remaining closed factories.
Superintendent of Industrial Zone Police-1, Mohammad Sarwar Alam, revealed that 86 factories were initially closed last Thursday under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act. By Saturday, this number had decreased to 36, with an additional 13 factories closed for reasons determined by their management.
“The majority of these closures involve garment factories, although other sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and leather goods production, have also been impacted,” said Sarwar Alam.