In order to resolve the recent labour unrest at Beximco Ltd, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, in collaboration with the Finance Division, has decided to provide financial assistance to clear the outstanding wages for October 2024.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Safikuzzaman issued a statement on Tuesday evening.
The statement also urged the general workers to resume work immediately in the interest of maintaining law and order.
Moreover, all factories in the Ashulia-Chandra area were urged to continue normal production operations without disruption.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing activities at the readymade garments (RMG) factory units at major industrial hubs like Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur, and Dhaka were normal despite some sporadic incidents, mainly RMG factory units of two major groups.
However, 12 factories were declared closed on Tuesday nationally.
Industry insiders said that the factories which were closed on Tuesday were mainly to avoid and spill over from the ongoing protests at factories of Beximco Group and Doreen Group.
For the last week, workers from these factories have been protesting for some specific demands.
The workers of Beximco Group demanded their wages for October and blocked the highway for four consecutive days.
Moreover, the workers of Doreen demanded the reopening of their factories which are closed under Section 13(1) of Bangladesh Labour Act, meaning “no work, no pay.”
Industry insiders said that Since Tuesday morning, workers from two factories in Zirani and Chakrabarti areas of Gazipur city have been blocking the Chandra-Nabinagar highway, demanding unpaid wages for the past month and other benefits.
Workers have reported that Beximco Industrial Park employs 41,000 workers in its apparel and ceramics factories.
Due to worker unrest at Beximco factories, the authorities have announced the indefinite closure of several factories in Sarabo, Zirani, and surrounding areas.
Insiders also stated that workers of Beximco Group have attacked various factories over unpaid wages for October.
As a result, 10 more factories, including Doreen Garments, Doreen Apparels, and Doreen Fashion, have been shut down.
Other affected factories in Sarabo and Zirani areas include Iris Fabrics, KAC Composite, Exaco Limited, YP Gazipur Limited, That’s It Knitwear from Hamim Group, Auto Tech Limited, and Uttara Knitwear.
Moreover, a factory named Sadatia Sweater in Ashulia remains closed.
According to BGMEA data, out of the 2,093 factories under its purview, 101 factories did not pay salaries for October, and one factory has not yet paid wages for September.
On Tuesday, 97.04% of the 397 factories in Savar and Ashulia remained operational. In Gazipur, 100% of the 871 factories were functioning, and in the DMP area, 100% of 301 factories were operational.
Nationally, 99.43% of factories operated normally, or 2,081 out of 2,093.
