Two readymade garment (RMG) factories-Cross War Garment and Zihan Garments Industries Ltd-within Ashulia, Bangladesh-have been shut down temporarily following protests by workers demanding outstanding wages and Eid bonuses. The factories were shut down by notices posted at the gate of the factories on Sunday night, leading to the workers organizing additional protests following their appearance at the factories on Monday morning to find the factories shut down. Efforts by workers to take the protests onto the streets were met by police counter-measures, resulting in additional police deployment in the area. Mominul Islam, Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Superintendent, reported that negotiations are in progress with factory owners to confirm the reopening of the factories.
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The incident is part of a wider pattern of labor unrest in Bangladesh’s garment industry. In November 2023, nearly 150 garment plants in Ashulia and Gazipur were closed down for good when employees demonstrated against a newly proposed wage structure announced by the wage board. The workers demonstrated because they were discontented with the pay raise, which was deemed insufficient by them. Factory owners hit back by closing operations under Section 13 of the Labour Act, which states “no work, no pay.” Posters were affixed at factory gates, and additional police were sent to maintain order. During this period, several cases were lodged against workers, and arrests were made pertaining to the agitation. The Bangladesh garment industry has a long tradition of labor unrest, typically over wages and working conditions. In November 2023, over 100 RMG factories in Gazipur and Ashulia closed down indefinitely following worker demonstrations for higher wages. The demonstrations became violent with police, resulting in injuries and arrests. Factory administration attributed the worker absenteeism and loss of production as reasons for the shutdowns, imposing the “no work, no pay” rule based on the Labour Act. The episode has identified underlying disputes between factory owners and garment workers concerning compensation and rights of workers. The latest shutdowns of Zihan Garments Industries Ltd and Cross War Garment highlight the ongoing challenges in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. Workers are still demanding on-time payment of wages and bonuses, especially on significant cultural and religious holidays like Eid. The indefinite shutdowns not only affect the livelihood of the workers but also have a bearing on bigger issues of the stability and reputation of the industry. Mediation efforts by law enforcement agencies and industrial police to put an end to the disputes and resume the factories are ongoing.
As things turn out, all stakeholders of the Bangladesh garment sector, including government offices, factory authorities, and labor unions, must sit together and address the fundamental issues that are causing unrest among workers. Ensuring good remunerations, timely payment, and improved work conditions are the first steps to building a stable and equitable sector.
