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Apparel factories reopen as security tightened

FE Report | September 08, 2024 00:00:00


The labour situation in the ready-made garment sector of the country improved on Saturday with security enhanced in many factories.

However, some 50 factories kept operations suspended as workers left after joining their workplaces.

All garment factories, including those which were closed for the last couple of days amid labour unrest, opened, except around a dozen of units, sources said.

They said more industrial police were deployed in factory areas in different industrial belts, including Ashulia and Gazipur, and the army has been patrolling to maintain law and order.

According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), out of its 2,152 export-oriented active units some 43 in Savar, Ashulia and Dhamrai and one in Gazipur were closed on Saturday.

At least 14 factories, including that of Nasa, New Age and Hameem Groups, continued operation suspension until Saturday.

Around 37 factories could not operate on Saturday as workers left the units after joining their respective workplaces, it added.

Some six out of its total running units yet to pay July wages, according to the BGMEA.

Talking to the FE, BGMEA senior vice-president Abdullah Hil Rakib said Saturday's labour situation was improved ones as security has been enhanced.

"There was no vandalism as workers remained inside the premises. Although 37 factories at Savar, Ashulia and Dhamrai were opened on the same day, they could not operate full day as workers left at different times after joining," he noted.

He also noted that there were no attacks from outsiders while the problems in Nasa group is not related to labour but to change in the managements.

Responding closure of some six units under Hameem Group, the BGMEA leader said they are adjacent to the units of Nasa Group and when thousands of workers from a group left the factories it is difficult for others to maintain operation.

The BGMEA had a meeting at one of the factories of Hameem Group with authorities concerned, including law enforcers and factory owners, he said police box will be fixed at the problematic units. He also hoped that the closed units would open today (Sunday).

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