1,868 workers laid off by Al-Muslim Group in Savar

Al-Muslim Group, a garment manufacturer in Savar, has laid off 1,868 workers from its three factories, citing a decline in purchase orders. The company claims that all outstanding dues of the laid-off workers have been settled.

Md Abu Raihan, Deputy General Manager (Administration) of the group, said the three factories employed approximately 27,000 workers. The highest number of layoffs — 1,286 workers — occurred at AKM Knitwear Ltd in Ulail, followed by 529 workers from Pacific Blue Jeans Wear in Radio Colony and 53 workers from Al-Muslim Apparels in Ashulia.

"The decision was made under Section 20 of the labour law due to business downturn and falling orders. All dues have been paid as per policy," Raihan said .

However, protesting workers alleged they were dismissed without prior notice and had not received full payments. Salma Akter, an operator who said she had been working at the factory since 2017, claimed, "We were not properly paid. If someone is laid off, they are supposed to get three months' pay, but I was given only one month" .

The layoffs have raised concerns among local residents and labour leaders about potential unrest in the industrial area after the Eid holidays.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, law affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, said while layoffs due to lack of work are legally permissible, there are provisions requiring that laid-off workers be given priority if factories resume hiring later. He also noted that the sudden large-scale layoffs require close monitoring of the situation .

On Saturday morning, several hundred agitated workers gathered outside the AKM Knitwear Ltd factory and briefly blocked the Dhaka–Aricha Highway's Dhaka-bound lane for about an hour and a half before being persuaded to leave, according to Industrial Police Inspector Refayet Ullah Chowdhury .

The layoffs at Al-Muslim Group reflect broader challenges facing Bangladesh's readymade garment sector. Industry insiders report that 353 factories have closed across Savar, Gazipur, Chattogram, Narayanganj and Narsingdi in the past 14 months, rendering 119,842 workers jobless . Savar has been hit hardest with 214 factory closures .