Most factories in Savar-Ashulia reopen, 55 still closed

Most factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial zones in Dhaka are open, with workers peacefully resuming work since Tuesday morning.

However, 55 factories remained closed in these areas. Of them, nine are observing general holiday, while 46 have been shut down under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.

According to Ashulia Industrial Police-1, most of the closed factories are garment factories, though there are other types of establishments as well.

To maintain control over the situation, additional security forces have been deployed, and surveillance has been intensified.

Army, APBn, and police personnel have been stationed in front of various factories in the Narsinghpur area along the Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Ashulia. Army, RAB, BGB, and police are patrolling the roads.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union, said: "As the situation improves, factories are reopening. Workers are eager to return to work. The problem will be resolved if the factories remain open."

Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, Md Sarwar Alam, said all factories are operating normally. “We have spoken with both sides to reopen the closed factories and resume production. Efforts are underway to restore the working environment through mutual understanding."

There are 1,863 factories under the jurisdiction of Ashulia Industrial Police-1, most of which are garment factories. For over two weeks, this area faced unrest due to worker dissatisfaction.

However, from the start of this week, the situation has gradually returned to normal.