CHITTAGONG, Apr 7: The Chittagong chapter of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has condemned attacks on, ransacking and looting of the port city's two factories by a group of unruly miscreants in the guise of garment workers.
They said outside goons ransacked the two garment factories and looted finished products and raw materials in the city's Aturar Depot area under Baizid Bostami police station on Sunday.
The Chittagong unit of the BGMEA issued the statement on Monday after its leaders, accompanied by the police commissioner, visited the Day Apparel and the Day Fashion readymade garment (RMG) factories.
First vice president of the BGMEA Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Shafiul Islam, BGMEA directors Abdul Wahab, Sheikh Sadi, Sabbir Mostafa and Anjan Shekhor Das visited the factories.
Chairman of the Day Apparel and the Day Fashion Abdul Wahab said the factories are being operated in the existing building since 1995 but there had not been a single labour unrest in the factories since then over wages or for any other reason. There was no other incident either.
On March 15 last, a team of the 'Accord' inspected the Men's Apparel located in the same building and opined that the building is risky. Following the report, a meeting of the review committee was held following a petition of the owner.
The review committee identified the building as risky and instructed the owner to immediately vacate it. The committee again sat in a meeting on April 5 and informed the concerned authorities regarding the decision.
Meanwhile, the management of the Day Apparel and the Day Fashion located in the same building declared lay-off in the factories and assured the workers of paying their salaries and benefits on April 8, Mr. Wahab said,
But, he said, it is very unfortunate that a gang of rowdy elements in the guise of garment workers went on rampage, ransacked the factories and looted finished products, fabrics etc on April 6 when the management was getting paper works prepared for paying salaries and benefits of the workers.
The management also paid salaries and benefits of workers who were available on April 7, the statement said.
CMP Commissioner Shafiul Islam said maintaining security in the factories at any cost is very important and urgent. He instructed the concerned police officials to take necessary steps.
Mr Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury expressed deep concern at the wild attack on the two garment factories and looting of goods therein.
He said the factories were shut down at the advice of 'Accord'. It is not possible for any management to relocate the factories within hours. It takes at least a few days.
"Such kind of labour unrest is taking place because of the activities of 'Accord' and 'Alliance'. So they must shoulder responsibility of these incidents. Concerned quarters have opined that these unwanted incidents could have been resisted," he said in the statement.
He urged the law enforcement agencies to be more prompt in action and alert to ensure full-proof safety in the factories.
Damage caused to the two factories due to attacks stood at Tk 50 million, owners claimed.
2 RMG factories at Ctg attacked, looted
Our Correspondent | Published: April 08, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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