Labour Unrest in Gazipur: 13 Garment Factories Closed Indefinitely, Five More on Holiday

Authorities have declared 13 garment factories in different areas of Gazipur closed for an indefinite period because of labour unrest. Another five factories have been given a holiday for today, Sunday. The decisions were taken amid fears of worker protests, vandalism and disorder.

All operations at the 13 factories will remain closed indefinitely from today, Sunday.

Factory authorities and police sources said the ongoing labour unrest in Gazipur has been disrupting production at the garment factories. The unrest is over demands for an increase in the minimum wage.

The factory authorities claim that even after the government and the BGMEA clearly announced the approval, publication and implementation of the minimum wage, unrest by outside workers took a destructive turn.

Agitated individuals entered the factories and carried out vandalism and destructive activities. The factories suffered extensive damage, and workers and officials were injured.

In view of these incidents, all operations at the factories have been declared closed indefinitely from November 15 under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.

Md Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police of the Gazipur Industrial Area Police, said the authorities have declared 13 factories in Gazipur closed indefinitely because of labour unrest. Another five factories have been given a holiday for today.

Meanwhile, garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway at Kaliakair in Gazipur in protest. The blockade at the Telirchala area of Mouchak at around 8:45 am on Sunday brought traffic on the highway to a halt.

To keep the law-and-order situation in Gazipur's industrial area under control amid the ongoing unrest over minimum wage demands, 25 platoons of law enforcement personnel have been deployed under the leadership of 25 executive magistrates.