Workers’ Protest Halts Narayanganj Factory

In Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj area, the management of Ahsan Apparels has declared the factory closed indefinitely following a protest by workers demanding their annual leave allowances. The unrest occurred on Tuesday, 13 January, at the facility located near Siddhirganj Pul.

According to workers involved in the demonstration, they had been pressing for the disbursement of their annual leave bonuses for several days. Management had previously set a deadline of 10 January for payment, but the allowances were not issued by the stipulated date, prompting workers to take action.

In response to the protest, factory management cited an unsuitable working environment within the premises and issued an official notice. The notice, referencing Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, announced that the factory would remain closed indefinitely from Tuesday onwards.

Inspector Selim Badsha of the Narayanganj Zone, Industrial Police-4 (Intelligence), confirmed that the workers were demonstrating over delayed annual leave allowances. “Given the circumstances, the management has opted for an indefinite closure of the facility,” he said. Law enforcement officers were deployed in greater numbers to the area to ensure law and order and to monitor the situation closely.

Labour representatives expressed concerns that the protest reflects broader issues within the factory, including delayed payments and substandard working conditions. They insist that timely payment of allowances and improvements to the work environment are essential to prevent further unrest.

The unfolding situation has raised concerns among industry observers regarding potential disruptions to production and supply chains, especially as Narayanganj is a major hub for the country’s garment sector. Negotiations between management and workers have yet to commence, and it remains unclear when operations might resume. Local authorities and the Department of Labour are reportedly prepared to facilitate dialogue to resolve the impasse.

The following table summarises the key aspects of the dispute:

As negotiations and monitoring continue, the situation highlights ongoing challenges in Bangladesh’s garment sector, where labour disputes over wages and benefits periodically disrupt production.