Workers’ Strike in Narayanganj Over Holiday Bonus Demand

In Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj industrial area, a labour dispute over annual leave bonuses has led to the indefinite closure of Ahsan Apparels, a prominent garment factory. The shutdown was announced by factory management on Tuesday, 13 January, following a protest by its workers.

According to eyewitness accounts, the unrest began after workers repeatedly demanded the payment of their annual leave bonuses, which had been scheduled to be disbursed by 10 January. When the deadline passed without fulfilment of these payments, employees staged a protest at the factory premises, disrupting normal operations.

In response to the unrest, the management cited an unsafe and untenable working environment and issued an official notice declaring the factory closed indefinitely, in accordance with Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006. The notice formally suspended all operations until further notice.

Inspector Selim Badsha of the Narayanganj Zone-4 Police (Intelligence) confirmed that the workers’ protest centred on unpaid annual leave bonuses. He noted that the authorities were monitoring the situation closely to prevent escalation. Following the announcement, additional law enforcement personnel were deployed to the area to maintain public order and ensure the safety of both workers and local residents.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions in Narayanganj’s garment sector, which employs thousands of workers in factories supplying both domestic and international markets. Labour advocates have long argued that delayed payments of bonuses and wages contribute to worker dissatisfaction and periodic unrest.

Workers have expressed frustration that, despite multiple reminders and discussions with management, their legitimate claims have yet to be addressed. Meanwhile, the factory remains sealed, and both employees and management await negotiations or government intervention.

The situation has drawn attention to broader labour issues in Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry, particularly concerning timely bonus payments, workplace safety, and compliance with labour laws. Analysts suggest that prolonged disputes such as this could disrupt supply chains and affect production schedules, underlining the importance of timely dialogue between workers and factory authorities.