The S Alam Group has shut down 11 industrial units in Chittagong, leaving more than 10,000 workers, officers and employees without jobs, prompting affected workers to demand the reopening of the factories.
The latest closure took effect on Friday, when the group suspended operations at its S Alam Refined Sugar Industries in Karnaphuli upazila. Workers at the sugar refinery were laid off on Thursday.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising, S Alam Group Chairman Saiful Alam Masud and members of his family reportedly left the country. They are facing multiple cases over allegations including loan defaults.
Company officials said production could not be sustained after the political transition because of financial constraints and shortages of raw materials. They said the management began the factory closure process about a month ago, gradually terminating workers and employees after settling their dues.
Among the factories that have ceased operations in Karnaphuli are S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Ltd, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels, Infinity CR Strips Industries, S Alam Steel, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels NOF, Chemon Ispat and Galco Steel, S Alam Bag Ltd, S Alam Cement, S Alam Vegetable Oil, S Alam Oil, a cattle feed factory and several other industrial units.
However, the group's coal-fired power plant in Banshkhali remains operational.
Abdul Mannan, a worker at S Alam Refined Sugar Industries, said a list of terminated employees was posted on the factory notice board on Thursday afternoon.
"The notice said the services of the listed officers and employees had been terminated under the management's directive, effective from August 1," he said.
Rafiqul Islam, deputy general manager of S Alam Refined Sugar Industries, confirmed that all production at the factory had been halted.
"Since production has stopped completely, the management wants the employees to return home," he said.
An official at the sugar refinery said the factory employed around 500 permanent workers and employees and about 200 temporary staff. Across the 11 closed factories, nearly 10,000 workers and employees had been employed.
Karnaphuli Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ikhtiar Uddin said the S Alam Group factories in the area had not been shut down all at once.
"Operations were suspended gradually over time," he said.
