Eight Pacific Group factories in Chattogram set to reopen Thursday

The situation has improved and a favourable environment for reopening the factories has been created, an official says

Owners have decided to reopen eight factories belonging to Pacific Jeans Group in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on Thursday following their closure in the wake of the worker protests.

Authorities issued a notice to that effect on Tuesday night.

The notice, signed by Pacific Group Managing Director Syed Mohammed Tanvir, read: "Due to the recent unforeseen circumstances, the authorities were forced to shut all factory operations indefinitely from Oct 16 per Section 12 (1) of the EPZ Labour Act 2019.

"Currently, with the improvement of the overall situation and the creation of a favourable environment for reopening the factories, the management has decided to reopen them on Thursday."

The authorities urged factory officials and employees to be present at their respective workplaces at the scheduled time and assist in carrying out the production activities.

Worker protests took place in multiple Pacific Group factories in the city's EPZ on Oct 14 and 15. On Oct 16, the management declared a shutdown after a brawl between workers and officials.

Following this, on the same night, eight factories of the group -- Pacific Jeans-1, Pacific Jeans-2, Pacific Attire, Pacific Accessories, Pacific Workwears, Universal Jeans, HT Fashion, and Jeans 2000 -- were declared closed indefinitely through separate notices.

The workers of the respective factories also protested on Oct 18, the day after the factories were declared closed.