As part of the continuous workers’ unrest in the Readymade Garments (RMG) sector, a total of 114 factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur were closed on Wednesday
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) sources, among them, 54 garment factories (three in Gazipur and 51 in Ashulia) were closed under the section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 which states that the owner can partially or fully close a branch or division of an establishment due to an illegal strike and the workers participating in the strike will not receive any wages.
Besides, owners of 60 factories announced a leave with pay.
However, the number of open factories across the country stands at 2,028, while two factories, although open, have halted work.
The source also stated that 1,309 factories (61.05%) have paid their workers' salaries for the month of August.
In Ashulia, 22 groups/factories, including Sharmin Group, Ananta Group, Mondal, and Lusaka Group have announced an indefinite closure of their factories.
Also, another eight factories, which had been open since morning, were forced to announce holidays by 11am as workers refused to work due to various demands.
Notices regarding the closure were hung on the gates of the factories on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning.
Industry insiders fear that the number of such factories might increase gradually.
Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, Md Sarwar Alam confirmed the matter and said, "There has been no violence in the industrial area. Those who can are operating their factories, while those who can't are announcing holidays. Authorities of 22 factories have declared closure under section 13(1)."
Several workers said that they went to the factories in the morning but found closure notices posted and had no prior information regarding the shutdown.
A senior official from one of the garment sector's industrial groups said the closed factories are mainly located on both sides of the Baipail-Abdullahpur road from Baipail to Zirabo, Zirabo to Bishmail road, and the Kathgara area of Ashulia.
The official added, "The owners had no other choice. Every effort was made to keep the factories running. But in the end, to protect the workers and assets of the industry, the owners had to make this decision on Tuesday."
On the other hand, workers of Beximco Industrial Park also demonstrated blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway since 8am today, causing long tailback on both sides of the highway.
An internal source from the industry revealed that after worker unrest began and the situation became chaotic, many owners called for factory closures under section 13(1).
The factory owners' demand was also raised during a Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) meeting.
However, for the sake of the workers and the industry as a whole, no collective decision was made.
Observing the situation until yesterday, various groups/factory owners were compelled to take this decision themselves.
