130 RMG factories closed for indefinite period: BGMEA

A total of 130 ready-made garment factories in different industrial zones, especially in Ashulia and Gazipur hubs, have been shut down amid protracted labour unrest on demand for wage hike, deepening crisis in Bangladesh's main export industry. Farooq Hasan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), confirmed the matter at a press conference on 'minimum wages and current labor situation in the garment industry' at the BGMEA office in the capital on Sunday.

BGMEA President said, "Despite the increase in wages, factories are being vandalized in various places in the name of movement. Since the wage announcement, some unidentified unruly workers in several factories have gone on illegal strike and beaten up the officials. Due to the situation, about 130 garment factories in Ashulia, Kashimpur, Mirpur and Konabari areas have been forced to close indefinitely by the factory management authorities. Considering the safety of the officials, employees and workers, the owners of these factories decided to keep all the factories closed."

In a written speech at the press conference, BGMEA President said, "The number of factories closed in 2020-21 in the country due to the Corona epidemic is 317. In the post-corona era, 260 factories have closed due to inability to maintain competitive capacity and other reasons.”

Directors of BGMEA were also present at the press conference.