Another Garment Factory Closed Indefinitely in Konabari, Gazipur, as Authority Hangs Notice at the Gate
The authority has declared the International Classic Composite Limited readymade garment factory in Konabari, Gazipur, closed for an indefinite period. The decision was taken from Monday (October 26) following a work stoppage and protests by workers over the slapping of a colleague.
On Monday morning, a notice signed by the factory's Chief Operating Officer, Sabbir Ahmed Osmani, was hung at the main gate declaring the indefinite closure.
The notice said workers had illegally stopped work from Saturday noon (October 24) and from Sunday morning (October 25) and behaved in an unruly manner inside the factory. For the sake of the factory's overall security, the authority was compelled to declare the factory closed for an indefinite period from Monday (October 26) under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006. The notice also said the reopening date would be announced to everyone once a favourable environment for reopening was created.
However, several workers, speaking on condition of anonymity, protested the authority's allegation. They said workers had stopped work and observed a work stoppage demanding the resignation of the in-charge because he had slapped a senior operator of the sewing section. The indefinite closure was announced in the midst of that.
A sewing operator of the factory, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Last Saturday noon, the in-charge slapped a senior operator of the sewing section. Workers then stopped work and observed a stoppage demanding that in-charge's resignation. Instead of bringing him to justice, the authority has declared an indefinite closure."
Mohammad Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police (SP) of the Gazipur industrial area police, said: "The authority has declared the International Classic Composite Limited factory closed for an indefinite period from Monday. According to the workers' demand, a staff member has to be removed. Workers had been observing a work stoppage over this for two days. Industrial police have been deployed in front of the factory to avoid any untoward incident."
