Most factories in Savar-Ashulia reopen, 22 still closed

Most factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial zones near Dhaka have resumed operations. 

From Thursday morning, workers have been working peacefully in the factories.

However, 22 factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial zones remain closed. Among these, six factories are on general holiday, while 16 are closed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006.

According to sources from Ashulia Industrial Police-1, the majority of the closed factories are garment factories, though some include pharmaceutical, leather, and other types of production facilities. 

In some of the closed factories, workers have reported for duty but are sitting idle as operations remain suspended.

Workers at factories like Medlar, Setara, and Bando Apparels have halted work in protest over several demands. It has been reported that discussions to resolve the issues are ongoing.

Meanwhile, additional security forces have been deployed to maintain order, and surveillance has been heightened.

Army, APBn, and police personnel are stationed in front of various factories along the Bypile-Abdullahpur road in the Narsinghpur area of Ashulia. 

Army, RAB, BGB, and police members are patrolling the streets.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre said: “The workers are willing to work, and since the situation has improved, most factories have reopened. I urge the owners of the closed factories to quickly reopen, engage with the workers, and resolve the issues through dialogue. Keeping the factories closed is not a solution.”

He added: “If the factory owners fail to find a solution through discussions with the workers in this improved environment, it will reflect their failure.”

Md Sarwar Alam, superintendent of solice for Industrial Police-1, said: "The overall situation remains stable. Operations are ongoing in factories like Ha-Meem and Sharmin, and workers are working."

There are 1,863 factories under the jurisdiction of Ashulia Industrial Police-1, the majority of which are garment factories. However, unrest had escalated in the region due to prolonged worker dissatisfaction for more than two weeks.

Since the beginning of this week, the overall situation in the industrial zone has started to normalize, and it continues as of Thursday.