Ashulia RMG units reopen amid tight security

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Workers waiting to enter an RMG factory at Ashulia, as the units in the industrial belt reopened Friday. — FE Photo

FE Report Nearly 150 apparel units at Ashulia in Dhaka reopened Friday amid tight security as normalcy returned to the country's key apparel belt after four days of production suspension. Walking in file, thousands of workers streamed into the open factory gates early in the morning as police in bullet-proof vests and helmets stood by to stem any trouble. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) shut the factories, saying that the owners apprehended labour unrest in the area. Owners said nearly 150 factories resumed production fully or partially on assurance from both the government and the workers' representatives that they would deal with violence strictly. "We resumed production in time at 8:30 am and everything is fine," said Mr Abdus Salam Murshedy, managing director of the trouble-hit Envoy Group, while talking to the FE. The Envoy Group at Jamgora in the apparel belt is one of the country's leading apparel producers. "Attendance is around 70 per cent as many workers have gone to their villages after the BGMEA's announcement of production suspension," he said. They feared further escalation of the labour unrest, as thousands of workers demanded capital punishment to the people responsible for the Rana Plaza tragedy. The workers also demanded a fair probe into the death of RMG worker Parul Akhter, who was a sewing machine operator of the Ha-Meem Group. The protestors smashed factories and vehicles and clashed with police that rocked the apparel zone. Dozens were also injured in the trouble. The workers who turned up in the factories in the morning said the apparel makers should make it clear that the labourers would get their wages for those days of production suspension. "We, of course, want to work here as production suspension always spells some sort of financial uncertainty for our families," said Rockeya Akhter, who works for Setara Group. Sterling Group Chairman Md Siddiqur Rahman said they restarted production in almost all their units excepting the Sterling Apparels. "I hope the production will go on in full swing from tomorrow (Saturday) as some of the factories did not reopen on the public holiday," he said. The Sterling Group employs around 12,000 workers. Md Siddiqur Rahman, however, said the workers would get overtime bills for working on Friday. "They (workers) will get nothing for those days when production remained suspended," he added. Police in riot gear patrolled the narrow Ashulia highway that links the capital with the northern districts. Two water canons have been deployed at key points there. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station Sheikh Md Badrul Alam said they stepped up security in and around the industrial zone to ensure production-friendly atmosphere there. "We'll not allow any troublemakers at all. Those who will be trying to instigate the workers will be brought to book," he added.