Garment factory to open in Ashulia on Saturday: BGMEA

The leaders of garment industry owners' organization BGMEA have decided that Ashulia garment factory in Dhaka will open on Saturday (September 5) after receiving assurances from law enforcement, labor leaders and local politicians.

On Friday (September 6), a two-round meeting was held with industrial owners, local political leaders, labor leaders of various organizations and members of law and order enforcement forces at the office of BGMEA regarding the ongoing unrest in Ashulia garment factories. BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam presided over the meeting and senior vice president Abdullah Hill Rakib, labor leader Montu Ghosh, Nazma Akhtar and others were present.

Confirming the matter, BGMEA Senior Vice President Abdullah Hill Rakib said that all parties have agreed to keep the factory running. They said, there is no need to shut down the industry. If there is no production, the country's economy will suffer. There is a fear of business going elsewhere.'

He also said that the labor leaders called upon the ordinary workers to return to work. If there is any claim, the owner is told to give it in writing. On the other hand, local political leaders have assured to refrain from fake business in the current situation.

BGMEA Senior Vice President Abdullah Hill Rakib said, “We have spoken to the owners of both the groups.” They have promised to settle the dues of the workers.

Incidentally, for the last two weeks there have been worker protests in the pharmaceutical and garment industries of Gazipur and Ashulia. Many outsiders, layoffs and factory workers participated in the garment factory protests. They took position in front of various factories and attacked and vandalized several factories. Apart from this, several members of law and order forces were injured in the attack. Although the situation in Gazipur improved last Thursday, there were protests in Ashulia. Angry workers attacked and vandalized several factories in the morning. At least 35 people were injured. Most factories are closed after noon. In all, production of 129 garment factories was disrupted that day.

Bangladesh /KH