An estimated 51 factories, mostly located in Ashulia, suspended operations on Saturday as workers mounted demonstrations over payment of arrears, the reopening of factories and a wage hike.
Sources said workers of some garment factories, including Mondol Knitwear, blocked Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Zirabo area of Ashulia in the morning.
Demonstrations broke out demanding the reopening of the previously shut factories, withdrawal of cases filed against workers and an increase in the minimum wage to Tk 22,000.
Meantime, workers from two factories, located in Gazipur, also blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding timely wage payments, enhancements in attendance and tiffin allowances, and night bills.
Law-enforcement agencies later scattered the workers from both locations, according to the sources.
Md Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Industrial Police-01 (Ashulia), said workers of Mondol Knitwear blocked Ashulia road over a pay hike, among other demands, for three hours.
Following the incidents, 20 to 25 ready-made garment factories in Ashulia announced closure of their units after lunch, he told the FE.
Most factories in the industrial zone were in operation since morning as workers joined the workplace, sources said.
Discontent of workers from Lusaka Group and Mondol Group led to the closure of dozens of nearby factories.
Industry sources said as many as 49 garment factories in Ashulia and two in Gazipur industrial belts halted productions the same day.
Of them, 12 factories in Ashulia were closed under the labour law provision 13(1) that states 'no work no pay', while the remaining 37 announced holiday as workers either did not work or left factories after joining.
On September 24, factory owners conceded to all 18 demands, including a rise in allowances and bills, to restore normalcy in garment units as workers, especially in the Ashulia belt, have been demonstrating since August 29.
The labour situation improved on September 15 after a tripartite call from labour leaders, factory owners and government.
But the situation got worse again as workers continued with their demonstrations with a fresh demand for a wage hike.
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