Ashulia apparel units to remain closed from Sunday: Exporters
They threaten to shut down factories across country if situation doesn’t improve
Dhaka, June 16 (UNB) – In the wake of worsening labour unrest, apparel exporters on Saturday decided to keep all the garment factories closed for an indefinite period at Ashulia in Savar from Sunday.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) jointly announced the decision at a press conference at BGMEA Bhaban in the evening.
Earlier, the BGMEA leaders held a marathon meeting with the owners of RMG factories of Ashulia.
BGMEA president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, BKMEA second vice president Mohammad Hatem, Exporters Association of Bangladesh president Abdus Salam Murshedy and RMG factories owners were present at the press conference.
Addressing the hurriedly called press conference, Mohiuddin said they decided to shut down all the factories, more than 300, at Ashulia as they have no alternative to it.
“We’re being compelled to shut down the factories under the Labour Act 13 (1) considering the security of both individuals and the industry as a whole. It’s impossible to keep factories open unless we get enough security coverage,” the BGMEA president said.
Mohiuddin, in his written speech, also said they, if necessary, would shut down all the RMG factories across the country if the situation does not improve.
He said they have become victims to conspiracy. “We appeal to the government, all political parties, and civil society members to identify those who are playing with the industry, and to take steps against them.”
If necessary, Mohiuddin said, the government should ensure exemplary punishment to them who are destroying the country’s economy by enacting a new law so that no one can play game with the industry.
He alleged that conspiracy, both from home and abroad, is on to destroy the industry which now has turned into a 5500-factory industry from one factory.
On Thursday, the BGMEA leaders threatened to close down all the industrial units in Ashulia if the ongoing unrest cannot be contained by Sunday.
The apparel exporters observed the situation in Ashulia on Saturday but the situation worsened.
Amid the deteriorating scenario, the BGMEA and BKMEA leaders called up the owners of the Ashulia RMG units at the BGMEA Bhaban and held a meeting to take final decision.
Meanwhile, he garment workers continued their protests in Ashulia industrial zone for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday, leaving over 50 people injured.
Despite assurance by State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku to solve their problems on Wednesday, the apparel workers took to the streets at about 8 am and put blockade on EPZ-Abdullahpur Road, disrupting traffic.
Production in nearly 300 units has been suspended as the authorities declared a leave for today following sporadic clashes between the agitating workers and law enforcers.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Shamsul Haque Tuku at a meeting with the workers on the compound of Hamim Group assured them of fulfilling all their logical demands by July 7. He also called upon the workers to go back to their factories for joining their duties.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) jointly announced the decision at a press conference at BGMEA Bhaban in the evening.
Earlier, the BGMEA leaders held a marathon meeting with the owners of RMG factories of Ashulia.
BGMEA president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, BKMEA second vice president Mohammad Hatem, Exporters Association of Bangladesh president Abdus Salam Murshedy and RMG factories owners were present at the press conference.
Addressing the hurriedly called press conference, Mohiuddin said they decided to shut down all the factories, more than 300, at Ashulia as they have no alternative to it.
“We’re being compelled to shut down the factories under the Labour Act 13 (1) considering the security of both individuals and the industry as a whole. It’s impossible to keep factories open unless we get enough security coverage,” the BGMEA president said.
Mohiuddin, in his written speech, also said they, if necessary, would shut down all the RMG factories across the country if the situation does not improve.
He said they have become victims to conspiracy. “We appeal to the government, all political parties, and civil society members to identify those who are playing with the industry, and to take steps against them.”
If necessary, Mohiuddin said, the government should ensure exemplary punishment to them who are destroying the country’s economy by enacting a new law so that no one can play game with the industry.
He alleged that conspiracy, both from home and abroad, is on to destroy the industry which now has turned into a 5500-factory industry from one factory.
On Thursday, the BGMEA leaders threatened to close down all the industrial units in Ashulia if the ongoing unrest cannot be contained by Sunday.
The apparel exporters observed the situation in Ashulia on Saturday but the situation worsened.
Amid the deteriorating scenario, the BGMEA and BKMEA leaders called up the owners of the Ashulia RMG units at the BGMEA Bhaban and held a meeting to take final decision.
Meanwhile, he garment workers continued their protests in Ashulia industrial zone for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday, leaving over 50 people injured.
Despite assurance by State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku to solve their problems on Wednesday, the apparel workers took to the streets at about 8 am and put blockade on EPZ-Abdullahpur Road, disrupting traffic.
Production in nearly 300 units has been suspended as the authorities declared a leave for today following sporadic clashes between the agitating workers and law enforcers.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Shamsul Haque Tuku at a meeting with the workers on the compound of Hamim Group assured them of fulfilling all their logical demands by July 7. He also called upon the workers to go back to their factories for joining their duties.
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