Nine Gazipur factories declare holiday amid worker unrest, two in Konabari closed indefinitely

Authorities have declared a holiday at nine garment factories and closed two indefinitely in various industrial areas of Gazipur because of worker unrest. The decisions were taken on Thursday morning (12 November) after worker protests.

Police and local residents said MM Knitwear Limited and Mamun Knitwear Limited in the Konabari area of Gazipur city were closed for an indefinite period. A notice on the matter was posted at the factories' main gates in the morning.

The notice said workers had not joined work since noon on 10 November, demanding an increase in the minimum wage. The workers came to the factories and observed a work stoppage, and were requested to join work.

The notice further said that without logical reason the workers vandalised the factories in a disorderly manner and left. Such behaviour by the workers amounts to an illegal strike, it said.

The notice said authorities were later forced, in order to protect factory property and lives, to close factory operations for an indefinite period under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006.

Meanwhile, workers of Lebenda and Apex factories blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway and demonstrated in the Mouchak Telirchala area of Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur, demanding a pay increase.

Traffic on the highway stopped at that time and a long tailback formed, causing suffering for the general public.

On receiving the news, police went to the spot, persuaded the workers and moved them off the highway. Traffic and the situation later returned to normal.

Amjad Hossain, superintendent of police for the Gazipur industrial zone, said nine factories in various areas of Gazipur declared a holiday for Thursday because of worker protests over a pay-increase demand. In addition, two factories in the Konabari area were closed indefinitely by their authorities, he said.