Employees, officers and workers in Bangladesh’s spinning sector have expressed serious concern over job security following indications that spinning factories across the country are expected to shut down from 1st February 2026. The announcement has triggered widespread anxiety among thousands of families dependent on the sector for their livelihoods.
The spinning industry, a critical backward linkage in Bangladesh’s textile and apparel value chain, is facing mounting pressure due to what industry representatives describe as prolonged policy imbalances, excessive reliance on bonded warehouse facilities, and the absence of a coherent long-term strategic roadmap.
At a press conference, employees and professionals from the sector placed a series of demands and observations before the authorities. They stressed that garment manufacturing depends on a fully integrated supply chain encompassing yarn, fabric, dyeing and sewing, and argued that these segments must complement rather than compete with one another. Strengthening the entire textile ecosystem was described as essential for employment generation and long-term sustainability, particularly as Bangladesh has more than 40 textile institutes and universities producing graduates whose future prospects remain uncertain without adequate job creation.
The speakers noted that the bonded warehouse facility, originally introduced as a temporary support mechanism for nascent industries, has led to long-term dependency and weakened local supply chains. They called for the facility to be phased out within the next five years through a structured transition plan. Concerns were also raised over the Free of Cost (FOC) facility, with the view that it should not exceed 50%, as excessive use risks undermining all textile subsectors except garments, creating an imbalanced and unsustainable industry structure.
Industry representatives further urged the government and trade bodies to formulate a clear 20-year policy roadmap to provide predictability, restore investor confidence and ensure job security for both existing workers and future graduates.
The press conference was addressed by ABM Sirajul Islam, Director of Jamuna Group and President of the Bangladesh Yarn Marketing Professional Association (BYMPA); Azhar Ali, Chief Operating Officer of Salma Group and an executive member of BYMPA; Md Anamul Haque, Director (Operation) of Mosharaf Group; Md Abul Kalam Azad, a spinning consultant; and Md Ruhul Amin Ashique, Executive Director of GETCO Group and General Secretary of BYMPA.
Highlighting structural policy gaps, Azhar Ali said the country lacked a clear assessment of actual value addition despite years of export growth. He noted that while export data over the past decade was readily available, there was no corresponding clarity on the level of imports required to achieve those exports, leaving the export–import ratio poorly understood. He added that backward linkage industries had failed to grow in line with export expansion due to the absence of targeted policy support, citing the lack of development even in basic alternatives such as non-plastic bobbins.
Referring to global market opportunities, he said Bangladesh was missing out on high-value segments, noting that while global textile and apparel exports stand at around US $ 600 billion, the technical textiles market alone is valued at approximately US $ 1.3 trillion. These segments depend on strong backward linkages and lower raw material costs while offering higher end prices, yet Bangladesh’s participation remains negligible, underlining the need for a focused policy approach.
ABM Sirajul Islam expressed concern over the lack of progress in implementing earlier commitments, observing that none of the seven demands submitted previously had been acted upon to date.
The industry representatives called on the government to take immediate action by implementing previously announced decisions and establishing a clear policy framework to safeguard investment, ensure business continuity and support the sustainable development of the spinning sector. They cautioned that further delays could lead to widespread job losses and inflict lasting damage on one of the country’s most critical industrial sectors.
