Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is set to resume production on Thursday, 4th September, in all factories except Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Ltd, following recent labor unrest that resulted in the death of a worker and injuries to several others.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting held at the EPZ zone office conference room on Wednesday, 3rd September. During the discussions, factory owners of Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Ltd agreed to meet the workers’ fair and reasonable demands and announced plans to reopen the factory on September 6.
The meeting was attended by representatives from workers, employees, management of Evergreen Products Factory, along with officials from the district administration, law enforcement agencies, the army, political parties, and civil society organizations, according to a press release.
The unrest began when workers of Evergreen Products staged a demonstration at the factory’s main gate to protest a set of demands. The protest disrupted vehicular movement on the highway and halted import and export activities. The situation escalated into clashes with security forces, resulting in the death of a worker named Ahsan Habib and injuries to several others.
In response, the factory management provided an initial compensation of Tk 2 lakh to the legal guardian of the deceased worker and assured that all medical expenses for the injured would be covered.
EPZ authorities also announced that other factories in the zone will resume normal operations from Thursday to restore stability and maintain a positive investment climate.
Additionally, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) has formed a four-member committee to investigate the incident and ascertain the root causes of the unrest.
