Dhaka, Sep 09 (V7N) — Despite numerous measures to stabilise the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, worker dissatisfaction has escalated, leading to the forced closure of factories in several areas. According to authorities, at least 79 factories from Bypile to Jirabo were shut down on Monday morning due to continued unrest among workers.

Md. Sarwar Alam, Superintendent of Police for Shilpa Police-1, confirmed the closures, stating, “Workers arrived at the factories as per schedule, but refused to work because their demands were not met. This led to the declaration of holidays in several factories to prevent further escalation of the situation.”

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Industrial Police, Army, RAB, and BGB, have been deployed to ensure security in the industrial zones, particularly in Ashulia, which remains a hotspot for unrest.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) reported that by noon on Monday, 68 factories, including major players such as Anant, Sharmeen, Hamim, and Starling Group, had voluntarily closed due to unrest. Of the remaining factories, workers from 13 walked out without working, while eight factories witnessed disorder despite remaining open.

The unrest stems from dissatisfaction over unmet demands, which workers claim are being ignored by factory owners. Some factories had announced holidays the previous night, posting closure notices on their gates, further fuelling discontent among workers who arrived in the morning expecting to work.

In addition to these closures, reports indicate that masked assailants attacked three factories of the Alif Village Limited Group in Ashulia on Sunday, causing significant damage estimated at BDT 40 crore. These attacks targeted Alif Embroidery Village Limited, Lam Mim Apparels Limited, and Lam Mim Associates Limited.

Protests also broke out at Euphoria, a factory in Shimultali, Ashulia, on Sunday evening, where clashes with workers led to the beating of some employees and the torching of a RAB vehicle.

Meetings have been held between interim government advisers, BGMEA, factory owners, labour leaders, and senior administration officials in attempts to resolve the situation. Despite these efforts, the unrest shows no signs of abating, with security being heightened across the industrial zones, particularly in Ashulia.

The garment industry, a crucial sector for Bangladesh’s economy, remains in a state of uncertainty, with tensions continuing to disrupt operations.

END/SMA/AJ