Ongoing labour unrest in the readymade garment sector led to the shutdown of 114 factories in Ashulia and Gazipur industrial areas on Wednesday, while agitating workers set fire to a factory in Kashimpur following a clash between two groups of workers.
The factory closures and arson attack escalated tensions and major disruptions in the sector, underscoring critical issues with timely shipment of export orders and undermining global buyers鈥� confidence.
According to the police, workers of several factories in Beximco Industrial Park, located at Kashimpur in Gazipur, staged demonstration demanding their wages for August, 抖阴精品 correspondent in Gazipur reported.
At one stage the workers of Beximco Industrial Park attempted to mobilise workers at the Big Boss Corporation Limited, which Big Boss workers resisted, erupting a clash between the two groups.
During the clash, the agitated workers set fire to the fabric and jute warehouse of the Big Boss factory.
Being informed fire service personnel attempted to reach the site, but they were obstructed by workers, who vandalised their vehicle, forcing it to turn back.
Meanwhile, the fire spread to an adjacent chemical warehouse.
With assistance from the army, the firefighters eventually gained access to the site and worked through the afternoon to control the blaze.
Gazipur Industrial Police superintendent Mohammad Sarwar Alam said that approximately 32,000 workers at Beximco Industrial Park in Gazipur had been demonstrating for their overdue wages for August.
Although the factory authorities issued payments on Tuesday most workers did not receive their wages, leading to protests that continued until 11:30pm on the day, he said.
On Wednesday morning, the workers resumed their demonstration by blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway halting traffic in both directions, Sarwar said.
Workers at the Arong Dairy and Food Project in Lakshmipura, Gazipur鈥檚 Sadar Police Station area, meanwhile, went on a strike in front of the factory gate. Their demands included a wage increase and permanent employment for casual workers, among other issues.
Workers from two other factories in Gazipur staged a strike and protest, demanding payment as well as an increase in wages and allowances.
According to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, 60 factories announced a paid general holiday, while 54 units announced closure for an indefinite period under the section 13/1 of Bangladesh Labour Act on Wednesday due to concerns about maintaining operations amid the unrest.
Of these 114 RMG factories, 111 units are located in Saver, Ashulia and Zirani, while the rest three are located in Gazipur.
Section 13/1 of Bangladesh Labour Act states that 鈥楢n employer may, in the event of an illegal strike in any section or department of any establishment, close down either wholly or partly such section or establishment and in cases of such closure the workers participated in the strike shall not be paid any wages.鈥�
BGMEA vice president Abdullah Hil Rakib said that the ongoing labour unrest in the sector was purely politically motivated.
Rakib stated that they planned to engage in dialogue with local politicians, suspecting involvement from groups such as BNP, Awami League, or other political entities.
He expressed hope that the factory closures would provide an opportunity for negotiation and lead to a swift improvement in the situation.
Rakib also said that buyers were concerned and requested a meeting with manufacturers.
鈥榃e plan to meet with the buyers next week, most likely on Sunday or Monday,鈥� he said.
One of the directors of BGMEA Shovon Islam said that the labour unrest in the country without any valid reason would severely affect the RMG industry.
鈥榃e will face trouble in gaining required export orders in coming months,鈥� he said.
Shovon, also the managing director of Sparrow Apparels Ltd, feared that orders worth $3 billion might be shifted from Bangladesh to India, Pakistan and China.
RMG workers in Ashulia and Gazipur industrial zones have been protesting since July 28, demanding increased attendance and tiffin allowances, full attendance allowance despite taking leave, recruitment of more male workers, a better male-to-female ratio, and changes in management in some units following the change in government.
