Eight more RMG factories have been shut down, with work stoppages occurring at various factories in Ashulia

Workers at various garment factories in Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka, continued their strike on Thursday, demanding several changes. 

They rejected the government’s proposed 9% annual wage increase for garment workers and instead called for a 15% wage hike along with a minimum salary of Tk 25,000. As a result of the labor unrest, eight more factories were shut down today, adding to the eleven that were closed the previous day.

According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the factories closed today include AJ Super Garments Limited, Mam Garments Limited, Firoza Garments Limited, NASA Super Garments Limited, NASA Basic Limited, Trouser Line Limited, Al Muslim Apparels, and S Suhi Industrial Park. In total, 13 factories in Ashulia are now closed or have seen workers refuse to join work, with eight declaring a holiday for all employees.

Under Bangladesh's Labour Law (2006), Section 13(1), if an illegal strike occurs in any section or department of a factory, employers are allowed to partially or completely shut down the factory, and striking workers will not be paid during this period.

Leaders of various labor organizations and workers from multiple Ashulia factories stated that their demands include a 15% annual wage increase, a minimum wage of Tk 25,000, and full payment for accumulated annual leave. Over the past few days, workers arrived at several factories in Ashulia but refused to work, instead staging strikes within the factory premises. Although some factories initially resumed work, operations were halted shortly after by the workers.

A female worker from a NewAge Group factory, speaking anonymously to Prothom Alo, explained that the issues began on Saturday when workers only worked until 3:00 PM. For the past few days, factories operated for short periods, but the workers continued to stop work again. She added that a message was sent today announcing the factory’s temporary closure until the workers’ demands for increased wages and full payment for accrued leave were addressed.

Khairul Mamun, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, stated that the government must engage in discussions with the workers. He emphasized that the workers’ demands for wage increases are reasonable and that issues regarding leave payments need resolution. He also mentioned that many workers would have accepted a 10% increase, but they are uncertain about the government’s plans for a wage review.

He called on the government to address these issues and improve relations with the workers by offering clear explanations and solutions. 

In a text message to Prothom Alo, Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, police superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Zone-1, confirmed that 13 factories had ceased operations today, with 10 of them declaring a general holiday. Eleven factories were closed the day before.