Factories in Savar reopen on Saturday

Two days ago, factories in the area were closed indefinitely due to worker unrest

Factories in Savar, which were closed indefinitely due to ongoing worker unrest, will resume production from Saturday.

The decision came from a meeting at a Ha-Meem Group factory in Ashulia on Friday evening, involving factory owners, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or BGMEA, representatives, and local political leaders.

BGMEA Senior Vice President Abdullah Hill Rakib confirmed the decision to resume operations but said individual factories may choose to open later based on their own security assessments.

The factories have been rocked by intense and often violent protests by workers demanding a slew of changes.

Since the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, workers from the garment and pharmaceutical industries have been protesting for over 10 days.

On Thursday, 257 garment factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur were shut, with 94 of these being indefinitely closed by the owners, including 86 in Ashulia alone.

The specific demands of the workers vary by factory, and the government initially cited provocations and conspiracies, leading to joint operations.

Labour and Employment Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said due to the unrest, 15 to 20 percent of orders in the garment sector have been cancelled.

In response to the factory closures, a meeting was held at the Ha-Meem Group factory with its managing director AK Azad, BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, and Senior Vice President Rakib, among others. They discussed reopening of the factories and enhanced security.

Rakib said the army will provide enhanced security measures, and joint forces will include executive magistrates to address any disruptions swiftly.

BGMEA has scheduled a press conference for Saturday to address the ongoing labour unrest in the garment sector.