Most of the garment factories in Dhaka’s Ashulia industrial neighbourhood reopened after this week’s worker protests came to an end. whereas 25 are still not operational.
Only a few factories let their workers to join, but even then, they wouldn’t come in to discuss their demands with the owners.
However, this week has seen no new industrial closures.
Speaking to the local media, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Sarwar Alam stated, “However, twenty factories have been closed under Section 13 (1) of the Labour Act since last week while five had announced general holidays.”
“Everything else in the manufacturing sector is going according to plan” He continued, “Joint forces are still patrolling the industrial area in addition to the law enforcement officers stationed in front of the various factories for security.”
Additionally, he added that the workers of the shuttered factory are occupying the area in front of it and demanding that it reopen. “We are trying to negotiate with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association [BGMEA] and the owners to open the factories soon,” he stated.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, the legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, warned local media that if the factories are not entirely reopened, there is a chance that unrest may recur.
He went on to say that owners should open their factories and have discussions with the employees to find a solution rather than closing them down.
