Workers Protest Again Following Closure of Eight Pacific Group Factories in Chattogram EPZ

Workers Protest Again Over Closure of Eight Pacific Jeans Group Factories in Chattogram EPZ

Workers staged another protest following the shutdown of eight factories under the Pacific Jeans Group in the Chattogram EPZ.

On Saturday morning around 9:00 am, employees from multiple factories gathered outside their workplaces in the EPZ to demonstrate.

The protest ended later in the day after discussions between workers, police, and EPZ authorities, according to bdnews24.com.

EPZ Executive Director Abdus Sobhan stated that several Pacific factories had been closed without workers being properly informed. Many arrived on Saturday expecting to report for work, only to find the closures, prompting demonstrations demanding the factories be reopened.

EPZ Police Station Chief Mohammed Jamir Hossain Zia confirmed that multiple Pacific factories had shut down from Saturday morning, drawing up to 800 workers, who dispersed after talks with authorities.

The management announced the closure of the group’s eight factories on Thursday night in response to earlier worker protests.

The factories affected are Pacific Jeans-1, Pacific Jeans-2, Pacific Attire, Pacific Accessories, Pacific Workwears, Universal Jeans, HT Fashion, and Jeans 2000.

Earlier protests occurred on October 9 after some Pacific Group employees alleged police harassment, and again on October 14 in several factories.

By the following day, demonstrations had spread to all group factories, though no violence was reported. On Thursday, however, protests at all factories included reports of workers assaulting some factory officials.