114 factories closed amid worker unrest, one set on fire in Gazipur

Amid the ongoing RMG workers' protest, some 114 factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur were closed on Wednesday (11 September) and a factory in Gazipur was set on fire by arsonists.

According to BGMEA sources, 54 of the closed factories – three in Gazipur and 51 in Ashulia – were shut down following labour rules, which allow leave without pay for workers. 

In contrast, 60 factories announced closures with paid leave.

Meanwhile, unidentified people set fire to a garment factory, Big Boss Corporation Ltd, in the Kashimpur area of Gazipur around 1pm on Wednesday, Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Arefin told TBS.

None was reported injured in the fire incident.

To address labour disputes, the government has formed a Labour Complaints Monitoring Committee, Labour Adviser Asif Mahmud told reporters following a meeting at the ministry on Wednesday, reports BSS.

According to the BGMEA, as of 12pm on Wednesday, the number of open factories across the country stood at 2,028, while two factories, although open, halted work. 

Around 1,309 factories (61.05%) have paid their workers' salaries for the month of August.

Among the closed factories in Ashulia, 22 are owned by major industrial groups, including Sharmin Group, Ananta Group, Mondal Group, and Lusaka Group.

Superintendent of Industrial Police 1, Md Sarwar Alam, told TBS, "There has been no violence in the [Ashulia] industrial area. Those who can are operating their factories, while those who cannot are announcing holidays. Authorities of 22 factories have declared closure under section 13(1) today [11 September]."

Several workers told TBS that they went to the factories in the morning but found closure notices hanging on the entrances.

A senior official from one of the 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 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," he added.

Workers of Beximco Industrial Park demonstrated blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway from 8am on Wednesday, causing long tailbacks on both sides of the highway.

'No work, no pay'

Abdulla Hil Rakib, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told TBS the apparel manufacturers started to implement section 13 (1) of the Labour Act, which allows "no work no pay".

According to the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, 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.

"Till now, the owners showed patience and didn't implement section 13(1). We wanted to resolve it through negotiation. Now it seems that the time has come to resort to laws," Rakib added.

"We think if the manufacturers use this section, they might get a positive result very soon. We tried our best to solve the problem by keeping the factories open, but that didn't really work in the end," he said.

Rakib also said that BGMEA leaders will sit with the local politicians on Wednesday night as they believe BNP, Awami League or other political groups may be involved in the labour unrest.

Regarding the acceptance of the major demands of Ashulia region workers, Rakib said, "Since the problem is localised, we have tried to solve Ashulia's problem first."

"However, we have made committees for all the industrial zones and they will give feedback by today," he said.

Rakib said within the next week, BGMEA leaders will hold meetings with four ministries. The labour adviser is scheduled to visit BGMEA next Saturday to hold talks with the owners and workers. "We expect a solution very soon."

"Moreover, we have a plan to sit with the buyers next week, most probably Sunday or Monday," he added.