Garment Workers on Strike in Bangladesh

Two hundred nineteen garment factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial zone near Dhaka remained closed due to ongoing protests and unresolved demands from workers.

133 factories had declared a “general holiday”. Some workers halted operations to pressure their demands, prompting factory authorities to declare a general holiday. News of this spread quickly, leading other factories to follow.

86 factories were closed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Sarwar Alam confirmed. By this Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, the bosses can partially or fully close a branch or division of an establishment in response to an illegal strike. Workers involved in such a strike are not entitled to wages during the closure.

Security forces have heightened their presence in areas affected by protests. The army, APBn and police are stationed near various factories, and joint patrols by the army, RAB, BGB and police are also ongoing. It was reported that ‘elite’ police units were patrolling the entire Ashulia industrial area, from Ashulia to Zirani Bazar and Dhaka EPZ.

The bureaucrat leadership of the union sides with the new governement. Creating illusions in the newly formed committee to address workers’ issues. They also called: “Alongside that, a quick response team should be established to visit factories facing problems. This team could mediate between owners and workers to determine if the owners lack sincerity or if the workers refuse to work despite their demands being met.”