The country's export-oriented garment factories will remain shut today (Sunday) amid the violent anti-quota protest, leading the authorities to enforce a curfew and announce general holidays on Sunday and Monday.
"Considering the safety of workers and security of the industries, we have decided today (Saturday) that all garment factories will be closed on Sunday," SM Mannan Kochi, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said on Saturday.
He told The Financial Express that some factories were in production on Saturday following the weekend holiday on Friday. "But most of the factories remained closed on Saturday due to the curfew."
To decide the next course of action, especially whether to run factories on Monday and onwards, Mr Kochi said they would hold an emergency meeting with its board members, former leaders and members on Sunday after the curfew ends.
While responding to a query, he said they are informing members regarding Sunday's closure over phone.
The BGMEA president said there were some incidents of vandalism in few factories located in the Tongi industrial belt.
Contacted, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice-president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said its member factories would also remain closed on Sunday similar to the BGMEA units.
BKMEA was also informing its 800 active members about the Sunday closure, Mr Ehsan said, adding that some factories were in operation on Saturday, while many remained closed or in operation partially.
Both the apparel leaders urged the government to keep the export-oriented factories outside the purview of curfew for the sake of the industry and economy.
Calling for normal and stabilised business situation, they said vandalism or arson attacks on public property are unexpected.
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