A further five to six factories have announced general holidays after workers failed to report for duty, adding to concerns over the stability of industrial operations in the area.
The development was confirmed on Saturday at around 9.45am by Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police at Ashulia Industrial Police-1. Speaking to The Daily Star, he said factory authorities had decided to suspend operations at the 40 establishments under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act in response to the ongoing unrest.
Another five to six factories had declared general holidays because workers were not carrying out their duties, he added.
Despite the widespread disruption, the industrial police had not received reports of any untoward incidents in the area as of Saturday morning. The authorities were continuing to monitor the situation.
The decision to close the factories under Section 13(1) carries significant financial implications for workers. The provision is associated with the principle of ‘no work, no pay’, meaning employees generally do not receive wages for the period during which factories remain closed under this provision.
For garment workers, many of whom depend on regular wages to meet household expenses, an indefinite closure can create considerable financial uncertainty. The impact may be particularly difficult for those supporting families through monthly earnings from factory employment.
The closures have also raised concerns about the potential consequences for industrial productivity. Savar and Ashulia are among Bangladesh’s most important garment manufacturing zones, hosting numerous factories that contribute to the country’s export-oriented clothing sector. Any prolonged interruption to production in these areas could affect factory operations, order fulfilment and delivery schedules.
Meanwhile, labour representatives have expressed concern that shutting factories may intensify tensions rather than resolve the underlying problems.
Khayrul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, told The Daily Star that keeping factories closed in this manner could increase workers’ frustration.
His remarks reflect wider concerns about the consequences of prolonged factory closures, particularly when workers’ grievances remain unresolved. Labour disputes in the garment sector can involve a range of issues, including wages, working conditions, employment security and communication between workers and management. However, the specific demands behind the latest unrest were not detailed in the available information.
The situation presents a challenge for both factory owners and labour representatives. While employers may consider temporary closures necessary to prevent further disruption, workers face the immediate prospect of losing their regular income.
A negotiated solution involving workers, factory management and relevant authorities could help address the tensions and restore normal operations. Until an agreement is reached, uncertainty is likely to persist across the affected industrial areas, with the duration of the closures remaining unclear.
