Ashulia garment factories reopen after five days of closure

The majority of ready-made garment workers returned to work with a feeling of apprehension. All 59 factories in the vicinity had been shut in the wake of massive unrest by the garment workers since December 12. The RMG workers had abstained from work demanding a hike in their minimum wages to Tk15,000. Mostafijur Rahman, director of Ashulia Industrial Police, said the factories resumed their operation yesterday morning as per the directive of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). An additional number of law enforcers had been deployed in front of the factories to avert any untoward situation, he added. After visiting Jamgora area of Ashulia, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent reports that most of the workers entered the factories in the morning and started working peacefully. Sources said firing the ready-made garment workers from their jobs still continues. Around five-six factories have published new lists of sacked workers. Of them Sharmin Group dismissed 143 workers, Setara Group 30 and The Rose Group 235 workers as of yesterday. More than 1,500 workers had so far been shown to the door after the unrest occurred, said Shah Mizan Shafiur Rahman, superintendent of police in Dhaka. The workers terminated earlier also turned up yesterday but were not let in. They returned home disappointed. Industrial police, Rapid Action Battalion and the paramilitary force, Border Guard Bangladesh, were seen vigilant in front of every factory and took position on different streets across Ashulia. According to SP Shafiur Rahman, members of different law enforcement agencies were watching the situation very closely and ready to handle any chaotic situation. “Whoever is behind the unrest will not be spared,” said the police official. Owners of several garment factories and lawmen have filed seven cases with Ashulia police station in connection with the ongoing unrest. A total of 23 people, including a journalist, a BNP leader and a labour leader, were rounded up on charges of instigating the garment workers and creating anarchy.