At least 79 factories in Ashulia, stretching from Baipail to Zirabo, remained closed today (9 September) due to the continuing workers’ protests. Md Sarwar Alam, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, confirmed the closures to The Business Standard.
While some factories in other parts of Ashulia operated until 11 am, law enforcement agencies, including the industrial police, army, RAB, and BGB, maintained a heavy presence to ensure security in the area.
According to sources from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), factories from 68 different companies, including major groups like Ananta, Sharmin, Hamim, and Sterling, remained closed under a “leave with pay” policy. Workers from 13 other factories, which stayed open, left without working today.
In addition, at least eight factories witnessed worker unrest within their premises. The affected factories include Mandal Knitwear, Natural Denim, Knit Composite, Radiance Jeans, Radiance Fashion, Garments Export Village, Bravo Apparels Limited, and Prince Jacquard Sweater Limited.
Workers reported that many factory owners had declared a general holiday for today, posting closure notices the night before. Others put up notices in the morning. Workers who arrived at the factories saw the notices and returned home.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre (GWTUC), confirmed that most factories in the region, including major facilities like Hamim and Sharmin, are closed. He added that workers had attempted to block roads in the Shimultala area this morning, but joint forces successfully convinced them to leave without any violence.
Industry sources also noted that several factories, including Hamim, Sharmin, and Deco, had already announced closures. This follows the suspension of operations in at least 30 readymade garment factories in Ashulia yesterday as the protests continued. On Saturday (7 September), 17 more RMG factories in the area had declared holidays.
The protests, which began on 29 August, have seen RMG workers pushing for several demands, including the recruitment of an equal number of men and women, higher salaries and benefits, and lighter workloads.