During the agitation lasting over a week, approximately 123 factories faced varying degrees of vandalism as garment workers sought increased wages. The DIG (Operation and Crime) of Shilpo police reported the arrest of 88 individuals in 22 cases across different police stations in Dhaka and Gazipur up to yesterday. Zakir Hossain Khan provided this information. Additionally, it was revealed that dissatisfaction among workers led to the halting of operations in 137 garment factories located in Savar, Ashulia, Dhamrai, Gazipur, and Dhaka.
Factories whose workers failed to report for duty were declared closed indefinitely under the provisions of the Labor Act. Authorities took precautionary measures by closing several factories yesterday to prevent potential disturbances. Industrial police sources disclosed that as of 8:30 pm yesterday, a total of 137 factories were shut down due to recent labor unrest in industrial areas. Among them, 78 factories in Gazipur and Ashulia were closed under Section 13 (1) of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006. An additional 48 factories in Gazipur, Ashulia, and Uttara were closed following the turmoil. While some factories attempted to resume operations yesterday, they were halted midway due to adverse conditions. The number of such factories in Gazipur and Ashulia is reported to be 11.
Simultaneously, garment workers staged protests by blocking roads in Mirpur, the capital. Demonstrations unfolded on the main road of Mirpur number 13.
BGMEA President Farooq Hasan emphasized the invaluable contribution of countless workers in elevating the garment industry to a respected position. He underscored the interdependence of industry and labor, stating that a thriving industry contributes to the well-being of workers. Hasan urged workers and entrepreneurs to collaborate in advancing the industry collectively.
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