Amid unrest and vandalism in the Ashulia industrial area, nearly 30 factories have been forced to shut down. Of these, 22 have been declared closed indefinitely by the authorities, citing Section 13(1) of the 2006 Labour Act, which allows closures without compensation to workers for the period of shutdown.
On Wednesday (11 September), notices of indefinite closure were seen posted at various factories across Ashulia. Most of these notices had been put up the previous day.
Under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act, factories closed indefinitely include two facilities of Arunima Group—Arunima Sports Wear and DMC Apparels; three units of Envoy Group—Manta Apparels, Envoy Fashions, and Envoy Design; Sigma Fashions Ltd. of Florence Group; Ishayat Apparels Ltd. of Sharmin Group; six facilities of Ha-Meem Group—That’s It Sports Wear, Apparel Gallery Ltd., Rifat Garments, Express Washing and Dyeing, Artistic Design, and Next Collections. Additionally, other affected factories include units of Deco Group, Debonair Ltd., Crosswear Industries, Sterling Styles, Bando Design, Mondol Knitwears Ltd., AR Jeans Producer, and Saad Fashions, bringing the total to 22 factories.
NRN Knitting and Garments Ltd. in Jamgara has been closed indefinitely since 4 September under the same provision, while Wash and Wear Ltd. in Tongabari has been shut since 8 September.
As per Section 13(1) of the Labour Act, employers are entitled to close any branch or section of a factory in response to illegal strikes, during which participating workers are not entitled to any wages.
On Tuesday, most factories in Ashulia saw workers reporting for duty. However, discontent erupted in the Envoy Complex in Jamgara, as well as at factories of the Sharmin and Ha-Meem groups in Narsinghapur, prompting management to declare an early leave for workers.
In a notice signed by the Manager of Administration and Human Resources of the Envoy Complex, it was stated that on 8 September, workers halted their operations in an attempt to push for illegal and unjustifiable demands. Despite repeated requests from management to resume normal work, the workers remained idle. Subsequently, for the safety of both the factory and its personnel, the authorities declared a holiday at 2:40 p.m., with the factory remaining closed on 9 September as a general holiday.
On 10 September, workers again entered the factory on time, punched in their cards, but refused to work, despite management’s persistent efforts to persuade them to resume their duties. By midday, the workers became agitated and vandalised several rooms before the lunch break. In light of this, management was compelled to declare another early closure at 1 p.m. Such actions were deemed tantamount to an illegal strike.
As a result of the prevailing unrest, the factory’s management was forced to announce an indefinite closure under Section 13(1) of the 2006 Labour Act, effective from 11 September. The reopening of the factory will be notified once a conducive working environment is restored.
Following the unexpected shutdown of several factories, others in the vicinity have also closed their operations as a precautionary measure.
Mohammad Ibrahim, president of the Savar-Ashulia Regional Committee of the Bangladesh Garments Industrial Workers Federation, commented, "We have been trying to mediate with BGMEA for several days, but the workers are not listening. Even though their attendance bonus and tiffin allowance have been increased, they are leaving the factory after punching in. The factory owners are under immense pressure as buyers are pulling out. Faced with no other option, the management has invoked Section 13(1). However, this will hurt the workers, as they will not receive wages if they do not work."
Meanwhile, work in the factories of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) and other units in Ashulia is continuing normally. As of midday on Wednesday, no reports of worker protests or demonstrations were received in Ashulia.
Several factories near the Chakrabarti and Mozarmil bus stands along the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway, at the border of Ashulia and Gazipur, also declared holidays on 11 September.
Earlier, at 8am, workers from Beximco Industrial Park in Gazipur blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway at Chakrabarti.
Anticipating trouble, nearby factories, including Jeans Plus, Shamser Knit, Young Socks Label, Kushiyara Fashion, Euro Arte, and Sinha Denim, declared holidays at 10 a.m.
According to Ashulia Industrial Police-1, approximately 22 factories have been closed under Section 13(1), and another eight have declared closures for various reasons.
