Labour Unrest: Four Factories in Uttara EPZ Shut Down

Due to labour unrest, four factories in the Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari have been closed indefinitely. The factories were declared closed from Monday, 27 October. The Executive Director of Uttara EPZ, Md Abdul Jabbar, confirmed the development.

Earlier, on Sunday evening, notices of the closures circulated on various social media platforms. As of Monday morning, the situation in the factory area remained calm.

The factories affected are Deshbandhu Textile Mills Limited, Section Seven International Limited, EPF Print Limited, and Meigo Bangladesh Limited.

According to a notice, on Saturday and Sunday, some workers refused to attend work and created disturbances in front of the main gate. They subsequently obstructed other workers, halting production unlawfully, which disrupted normal operations. Despite repeated appeals from management to return to work and resolve any grievances through dialogue, the workers continued the work stoppage, resulting in two days of halted production.

The notice further stated that the reopening date will be announced via a new notice once a favourable environment is restored. However, the decision does not apply to staff engaged in security or emergency maintenance duties.

Md Abdul Jabbar, Executive Director of Uttara EPZ, said that considering the production stoppage and unstable conditions, operations have been suspended indefinitely in accordance with the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019 to safeguard the overall security of workers, employees, officers, and the factories.