Business leaders have sought necessary steps from the interim government to ensure security in the industrial units amid suspension of production at several units over labour unrest for last couple of days.
They made the appeal at a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the State Guesthouse Jamuna on Tuesday.
The appeal came after at least 126 garment factories announced holiday on the same day, mostly after 3.00 pm over labour unrest, amid the launch of joint forces' operation.
On Monday, production in about hundred factories in the export industry halted amid labour unrest.
The business delegation led by International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB) president Mahbubur Rahman included managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals Tapan Chowdhury, former presidents of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad and Mir Nasir Hossain and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam.
ICC Bangladesh president Mr Rahman after the meeting told reporters that during the meeting they discussed about overall industrial situation of the country, exports and business environment.
"Law enforcing agencies have to work properly to ensure a congenial business environment in the country," he said.
He further said police, industrial police and RAB have to eventually be functional since BGB and Army are now rendering support for the time being.
The chief adviser has assured them that the government will take necessary steps to ensure the safety of industries and it is taking some time as re-organise and reform taking time, Mr Rahman said.
The business leaders also brought attention to the recent incidents of fire and vandalism in various industrial establishments that hampering production which ultimately affects trade and business.
Talking to the FE, BGMEA president Mr Islam said after launching the joint drive, production in factories started smoothly in Tuesday morning except a few units.
But most factories in Ashulia announced closure after 3.0 with relaxation of joint drive by police, industrial police and army at noon, he said outsiders then came and instigated workers to leave factories.
A joint forces' operation by the military, police, and industrial police was launched in Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur areas from Monday night to provide security to the garment industries.
BGMEA senior vice president Abdullah Hil Rakib said in the morning, workers protested only five to six factories though the demands were not lawful.
He alleged a vested group might be taking advantage of current situation.
Sources said job seekers, many of them were terminated at different times, first gathered in front of several factories demanding employment and when there were told about no opportunities of vacancy, they threw stones and bricks at the factories.
Garment workers from different factories later joined the protests.
Mr Rakib added that army did not allow workers to the streets and let them go home after 3 and 4.0 pm.
He said 57 factories located in Zirabo to Bishmail area, and another 57 units in Zirabo to Baipail area, some 10 in Zirani and two at Board Bazar, Gazipur were announced closed on Tuesday.
Some 100 to 125 garment factories in different industrial belts, including Ashulia and Savar, remained shuttered on Monday.
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