146 RMG factories suspend work amid fresh unrest

Industrial hubs in Ashulia and Gazipur have plunged into fresh labour unrest despite the ongoing work of the minimum wage board and an agreement to implement a new wage structure from December.

The renewed tensions forced around 146 garment factories to suspend production and declare holidays on Tuesday (10 November), according to factory owners and Labour Ministry officials. Over 100 of the affected facilities are located in the Ashulia industrial belt.

According to sources at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), factories belonging to major groups such as Islam Group, Starling, Envoy, Knit Asia and Mondol Group in Ashulia were also unable to continue production yesterday .

TBS has obtained a BGMEA list showing that 146 factories were unable to continue production. The names of 108 of them were available on the list.

“Workers entered most of the factories but did not join production activities. Some factories were vandalised for no reason,” a BGMEA leader said.

Confirming the spread of unrest, MM Mamun-Ur-Rashid, deputy inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), said at least 30 factories in Gazipur were forced to declare holidays. 

BGMEA vice-president Shehab Udduza Chowdhury expressed frustration over the sudden disruption. “Discussions have been progressing smoothly since the wage board was formed. Both factory owners and labor representatives agreed that the revised minimum wage will take effect in December. It remains unclear why protests, vandalism, and work stoppages are erupting while formal negotiations are actively underway.”

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu noted that the scale of disruption had escalated compared to the previous day, adding that the association is closely monitoring developments.

Owners consider indefinite closures under section 13(1)

The resurgence of violence, following nearly two weeks of persistent protests, has heightened pressure on the BGMEA to authorise indefinite factory shutdowns. Although the government had previously urged manufacturers to keep production lines running, owners are now evaluating invoking Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, which allows management to declare indefinite closures without pay,  for units where workers refuse to report for duty.

According to BGMEA sources, three units, New Age Apparels, New Age Garment, and Kailock New Age BD, have already declared indefinite closures under the provision.

“We will monitor the situation on Wednesday before making a final decision on whether to apply Section 13(1) more broadly,” Chowdhury added.

Rumours threaten further escalation

Factory owners have warned that vested groups are attempting to exploit a clash between police and workers in Ashulia, during which two workers were injured.

Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, alleged that misinformation is being actively circulated to fuel further violence. “Two workers were injured in Ashulia, but rumours are being spread across social channels claiming they were killed. We fear certain groups will attempt to leverage these false reports to spark deeper trouble.”

Buyers shift orders as labour leaders urge calm

The continued instability is beginning to hit export orders, with international fashion brands diverting production to alternative manufacturing hubs like India.

A prominent garment exporter, generating around $350 million in annual shipments, revealed that British retailer Marks & Spencer recently shifted a major order for specialised cotton trousers to India following the ongoing disruptions. “Similar diversions are happening across multiple global accounts,” the exporter noted.

The Dhaka country director of a major Sweden-based apparel brand confirmed the threat, warning that the retailer could reduce order volumes from Bangladesh by 15% to 20% over the next two months if stability is not restored promptly.

Trade union leaders have also condemned the unprovoked strikes while formal wage negotiations remain active.

Nazma Akter, president of the Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation, called the renewed street protests a grave error. “Taking to the streets at this stage is a mistake. If this instability continues, factories will shut down permanently, costing workers their livelihoods. Foreign buyers are already warning us of order cuts. I urge all workers to remain calm and allow the wage board to complete its work.”