Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The apparel factories which were closed down due to labour unrest at Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka will reopen on Monday, garment factory owners said.
“We’ve urged the owners of the closed factories to withdraw the action taken under 13 (1) provision of the labour law and reopen their factories on Monday following the Prime Minister’s instruction and request from 30 labour-right groups,” Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said at a press conference at its headquarters in Dhaka Sunday evening.
The BGMEA chief called on the workers not to get instigated by outsiders, which hinders run of the industry.
Earlier on December 20 last, the BGMEA declared mass closure of the garment units where workers had abstained from work since December 11 to press their demand for pay hike.
To date, a total of 59 units, including more than one of some groups, have been shut down following the work abstention.
On December 21, several platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and additional industrial police members were deployed at the key readymade garment (RMG) zone off the capital to avoid any unwanted situation.
Among others, BGMEA vice-presidents Mahmud Hasan Khan and Mohammed Nasir, and its former president Abdus Salam Murshedy were present at the press conference.
BBN/SSR/AD