Authorities have announced the closure of 13 factories in various areas of Gazipur in the face of ongoing labour unrest. On Tuesday (24 September) notices were posted on the main gates of the factories, indicating their closure.
The protests began on Monday in Tongi, Kaliakoir, and Baghair Bazaar in Gazipur areas where workers demonstrated to press for various demands.
Protests escalated to include acts of vandalism and road blockades, leading to a joint law enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals involved in the disturbances.
It has been reported that by Monday evening, authorities decided to close 13 factories, including 12 garment factories and one food production plant.
The food production plant has been closed indefinitely, while the other factories have been shut down for a single day.
In response to the unrest, security has been heightened throughout key industrial zones, with increased patrols by police, army personnel, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) units to maintain order.
Gazipur Industrial Police-2 SP Sarwar Alam said “The factories experiencing difficulties have been closed by their respective authorities. Among these, the Coca-Cola Food Products factory in Mouchak, Kaliakoir, has been shut indefinitely. The factories will reopen once the situation returns to normal.”
Meanwhile, in Savar’s Ashulia, most garment factories resumed operations, with workers peacefully returning to work on Tuesday.
However, 55 factories in the Ashulia and Savar industrial zones remain closed.
9 factories are observing a general holiday, while 46 factories have been shut under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.
According to Ashulia Industrial Police-1, most of the closed factories are garment units, although some other types of factories are also affected.
In an effort to maintain order, additional security forces have been deployed, and surveillance has been increased across the area.
Troops from the army, APBn, and police have been stationed in front of several factories on the Narsinghpur stretch of the Bypile-Abdullahpur Road, while joint patrols by the army, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police continue to monitor the roads.
SP Sarwar Alam stated, “A total of 46 factories have been closed indefinitely under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act. Nine factories have declared a general holiday. However, work is proceeding normally in all other factories. We are in discussions with both parties to ensure a smooth return to operations in the closed factories and to restore industrial productivity in a spirit of mutual cooperation.”
Ashulia Industrial Police-1 oversees a total of 1,863 factories, the majority of which are garment units.
The region has experienced severe instability for over two weeks due to ongoing labour dissatisfaction.
However, since the beginning of this week, the situation in the industrial zones has gradually stabilised, with workers resuming operations in most factories by Tuesday.
