Authorities were forced to close at least 130 readymade garment factories in Ashulia and Zirabo areas after 3:00 pm on Thursday due to labour unrest.
The situation, however, improved in Savar and Gazipur areas, and factory operations in those areas proceeded on the day without interruption, according to factory owners.
The areas have been witnessing labour unrest since Monday.
Industry insiders said that, following the fall of the Awami League government in the student-led mass uprising on August 5, there had been a surge in activities by various actors, mostly outsiders and sacked workers, seeking to establish dominance in industrial areas.
Readymade garment factory owners said that factories in Ashulia and Zirabo areas ran smoothly until lunch on Thursday but when workers resumed their duties as usual after lunch, outsiders began attacking the factories after 3:00pm.
Due to the instigation from outsiders, workers from some factories left their workplaces and joined the protest.
Considering the situation, authorities were forced to close most of the factories in Ashulia and Zirabo areas, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Khandoker Rafiqul Islam said. He said that the situation improved in Gazipur and Savar on Thursday, and operations at most of the factories in these areas proceeded throughout the day without interruption.
According to BGMEA, a total of 129 readymade garment factories in different industrial belts were unable to operate on Thursday due to workers鈥� unrest, which was largely instigated by outsiders.
This disruption affected 64 factories in the Zirabo to Bishmail area and 65 units in the Zirabo to Baipail area, although most factories had started the day smoothly, with only a few experiencing issues in the morning.
Most of the factories announced leave after 3.00pm, BGMEA officials said.
On Wednesday, at least 167 readymade garment factories suspended operations, following the closure of about 100 factories on Monday and 126 on Tuesday due to the ongoing unrest.