At least 60 factories in Ashulia still closed despite increased security
The army and police initiated a joint operation on Monday night in the industrial zones of Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur to restore order after more than a hundred apparel factories were forced to shut down, with some being attacked by outsiders and protesting workers over various demands
Workers seeking jobs protest in Ashulia by blocking the roads demanding equal employment opportunities for men and women in RMG factories, among other demands, on Monday, 2 September 2024. Photo: Collected
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Workers seeking jobs protest in Ashulia by blocking the roads demanding equal employment opportunities for men and women in RMG factories, among other demands, on Monday, 2 September 2024. Photo: Collected
Despite the start of joint operations by the army and police on Monday, around 60-70 garment factories in Ashulia remained closed today (4 September) in the face of workers’ protests.
Workers of various factories in Ashulia’s Bypail-Abdullahpur road entered the factories. But instead of joining work, they started protesting with various demands, said Md Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Industrial Police-1.
He added that the authorities were forced to declare the factories closed one by one.
After declaring a holiday in some factories, the workers went out and started protesting in front of other factories and hurling brickbats, which led the authorities of those factories also to declare a factory holiday.
As of 10:30am this morning, the aggrieved workers were still stationed at various points on the Bypail-Abdullahpur road and Nabinagar-Chandra road in Savar.
Workers block Bypail-Abdullahpur road on 4 September 2024. Photo: TBS
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Workers block Bypail-Abdullahpur road on 4 September 2024. Photo: TBS
Industrial police, army and BGB members are working to control the situation.
“Traffic jams that occurred due to workers blocking the road have been cleared. We are trying to control the situation,” said SP Md Sarwar Alam.
However, the official also said that the activities in other areas including the DEPZ of the industrial area are normal except this Bypail-Abdullahpur road.
Sirajul Islam Azad, senior general manager of HR, Administration, and Supply Chain Management at Bitopi Group whose factory is in Dhaka EPZ, Savar, expressed concern about the impact of external job seekers and workers unrest on industrial areas blocking roads.
He said that ongoing protests and demonstrations by these groups are disrupting operations in other factories, often escalating to the point of throwing stones and bricks.
Sirajul feared it would significantly affect apparel exports and future orders as they are already running behind their shipment deadlines.
Also, workers were also seen protesting in front of RAK Ceramic, also situated in Dhaka EPZ.
RAK ceramic factory at Gazipur. Photo: TBS
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RAK ceramic factory at Gazipur. Photo: TBS
On Monday night, army and police initiated a joint operation in the industrial zones of Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur to restore order after more than a hundred apparel factories were forced to shut down, with some being attacked by outsiders and protesting workers over various demands.
By morning, the situation had returned to normal. As of 6pm, no blockades were reported on roads in the area.
But protests once again were sparked in the noon, prompting the authorities of 60-70 garment factories to declare a holiday.
