Bangladeshi government has established a 10-member inter-ministerial committee to address challenges facing struggling RMG and non-RMG factories, particularly amid recent labor unrest. The committee, led by Arif Ahmed Khan of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, includes representatives from multiple government and industry bodies, including the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Army. It aims to profile at-risk factories by assessing financial stability, debts, and unpaid worker wages, with a report and solutions expected within a week.
The committee’s formation follows widespread factory closures and unpaid wages after the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, which led to several owners fleeing or being arrested. This disruption caused extensive worker unrest, with some factories in areas like Ashulia, Savar, and Tongi temporarily closing. BGMEA reports indicate 99.91% of factories are currently operational, although labor unrest and closures have resulted in an export order decline of 15-20%. The government plans to act on committee recommendations to support factory recovery, hoping to stabilize the sector and prevent future disruptions.
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