Row over jhoot business fuels chaos in RMG industry

The conflict between three groups vying for control over the jhoot (textile waste) business and extortion is the primary reason behind the ongoing unrest in the Savar-Ashulia industrial area. Local residents shared their experiences, explaining that they have witnessed the clashes between these groups firsthand. For the past 15 years, a former MP of the Awami League, along with loyal union council chairmen and members, maintained control over the industrial zone. However, following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, during a mass uprising, three factions of the BNP have been aggressively trying to establish their dominance over the region. As a result, clashes have been occurring almost daily, and many factories have ceased operations.

According to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), there are 2,144 member factories in the region. As of Wednesday, September 11, 144 of these factories were closed, with 111 located in Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani. In Gazipur, 3 factories are currently shut down. Out of the total, 1,309 factories have already paid the wages for August, but 835 factories have yet to do so. BGMEA reports that worker unrest is primarily occurring in the areas of Gazipur, Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani.

Upon visiting various factories in Ashulia and its surrounding areas, garment workers said that most of them are unaware of the reasons behind the ongoing protests. Different groups have been bringing in outsiders to organize protests, which eventually lead to violent clashes. Many factory workers, confused by these external groups, have taken to the streets, only to later realize they had been misled. By then, the damage has already been done. Despite the ongoing violence between the three groups, no one associated with these groups has yet been brought to justice, according to locals. Meanwhile, local police officials have stated that they are taking a firm stance.

How the three groups are clashing
Through investigations on the ground, it was found that since August 5, three groups have been vying for control over the jhoot business in the EPZ (Export Processing Zone), frequently visiting various factories: one group is led by former MP Dr. Dewan Md. Salauddin Babu, another by former UP chairman Abdul Gafur, and the third by Ayub Khan.

Local residents shared that the instability and land grabbing in the EPZ area are largely driven by Salauddin Babu’s group. His personal assistant, Shariful Islam, leads a group of around 200 people, including key figures like Mehedi Masum, Abu Hanif, Shahinur Rahman Shahin, Mostafizur Rahman Roni, Jahangir Mondal, and Mamun Chowdhury. Since August 8, Shariful has been involved in creating chaos, issuing threats, and blocking goods in factories such as Sasa, CKDL, Hopelong, YKK, and Shanta. His group has directly interfered in at least 40 factories.

Despite repeated attempts, it was not possible to contact Dewan Md. Salauddin Babu for his comments regarding the allegations. However, on September 11, he held a rally in Narsinghpur and Ashulia, where several major garment factory owners were present. At the rally, Babu pleaded with everyone to keep the factories open and denied any involvement of the BNP in the ongoing power struggle or land grabs.

The Ayub Khan group is also a key player in the instability in Ashulia’s EPZ. On August 20, violence first erupted between Ayub Khan’s group and Salauddin Babu’s group over control of the jhoot business. Several factories, including Shanta Industries Limited, have jhoot business contracts with a man named Mizan, an Awami League member. After the change in government, Ayub Khan’s group prevented Mizan from entering his factories. On August 20, Mizan’s employees attempted to remove goods from the factory, but over 300 armed members of Salauddin Babu’s group, led by Shariful Islam, blocked the trucks at the EPZ gate. Similarly, Ayub Khan’s group caused disturbances in at least eight other factories. Ayub Khan himself has been seen trying to take control of factories like Sasa.
Ayub Khan’s group is led by his trusted lieutenant, Tipu (locally known as “Hath Cuta Tipu”). Other key figures include Sagar, Tanim, Mintu, Liton, Parvez, and Kamal. This group has attempted to extend its influence over around 40 factories, including Sasa, CKDL, Talisma, Paddocks, Pexar, Hopelong, YKK, and Shanta.

Another group involved in the EPZ land-grabbing issue is led by former chairman of the Dhamsona Union, Abdul Gafur. Though Gafur himself doesn’t personally visit the factories, his brother Barrister Monir, an Awami League leader, leads the group. Since August 5, they have been trying to control the jhoot business in factories like Baxter, Brenton, Cherry, Youngone, Dhakaria, FCI, Talisma, Paddocks, and Pexar. Monir is supported by their brother-in-law, Mizanur Rahman Mizan, who leads a group of about 50 cadres involved in land-grabbing activities in the EPZ.

On August 29, a group of 20 to 30 men from Monir’s group attempted to take control of the Hopelong factory, but Salauddin Babu’s group, led by Jahangir Mondal, was already trying to take over the factory. Both groups clashed at the EPZ gate, and Gafur’s group eventually retreated after several of their men were injured. The next day, Gafur’s men retaliated by attacking Jahangir’s market in Bolivadra Bazaar, and later, they attacked Jahangir’s home and office in Talpatti village.

Despite the clashes, Abdul Gafur claimed that his group’s involvement was not to grab control but to maintain peace in the EPZ, as the director of the EPZ had asked him for help due to ongoing labor unrest.

Control of EPZ for 15 years
For the past fifteen years, control over the EPZ area was held by Awami League MP Saiful Islam. Control over Savar was in the hands of Awami League’s Savar Upazila Chairman, Rajib, while Tetultola Union was under the control of Somer. In the Jirabo area, control was held by Suman Ahmed Bhuiyan, the Organizing Secretary of the Ashulia Awami League (Unit No. 1). The Ashulia Chourasta and Jirabo areas were under the control of Pathalia Union Chairman Farvez and Member Sohag. The Airpur area was controlled by former Chairman Kabir Sarkar.

Additionally, Ashulia’s Jubo League Convener Moinul Member controlled parts of the area, with support from his younger brother Shamim Ahmed. Shamim, a former president of Ashulia Chhatra League, allegedly rose from a humble watch shop maker to become a multi-millionaire, with wealth exceeding hundreds of crores. He is rumored to be one of the instigators behind the current unrest.

All communication with Awami League leaders was unsuccessful as their phones remained switched off.

No one knows the cause behind the protests
The situation in the EPZ area had been controlled by Awami League’s MP Saiful Islam. Control of Savar rested with Upazila Chairman Rajib, and Tetultola Union was under Somer’s control. In Jirabo, the control was with Suman Ahmed Bhuiyan, while Ashulia Chourasta and Jirabo areas were under the control of Pathalia Union Chairman Farvez and Member Sohag. Airpur’s control was in the hands of former Chairman Kabir Sarkar. Moinul Member, the convener of the Ashulia Jubo League, controlled parts of the area, supported by his brother Shamim Ahmed.

Despite numerous attempts, no contact could be established with Awami League leaders as their phones were switched off.

Police helpless against mob justice
In areas like Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur, the industrial police have struggled to effectively control the unrest. Several officers on duty said, "Suddenly, a mob forms. A group of agitated people arrive, engage in vandalism, and disappear. It's unclear who these angry people are, why they've come to the industrial zone, or what they want." Each day, a different unknown "angry crowd" appears, making it difficult to control the mob. Army personnel patrolling in front of some large factories have reportedly saved them from destruction.

Inspector Saiful Islam of the Gazipur Industrial Police said that their forces remain on high alert and are prepared for any situation.

Losses due to production halts and order cancellations
Garment industry owners are worried about the current situation. Worker unrest has severely disrupted production, raising concerns about timely shipments. If production isn't completed on time, air shipment will be necessary, significantly increasing costs. If the unrest isn't controlled, retaining buyer confidence will be challenging.

Mohammad Hatem, president of BKMEA, said, “If we cannot stop this labor unrest, timely exports will be affected. Additionally, if this situation persists, global buyers will lose confidence in Bangladesh, and we may fail to secure the necessary orders for the next season.”

He emphasized that such circumstances would not only harm the owners but also put workers' jobs at risk, as insufficient orders would prevent factories from paying wages. In some cases, factories might even have to shut down.

Call to protect garment industry from the Chief Advisor
In a speech to the nation on Wednesday, Interim Government Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed concern that continuous protests could lead to the closure or collapse of factories, delivering a massive blow to the country's economy. He acknowledged that workers have many grievances, but warned that if they shut down their source of livelihood in the process of expressing those grievances, it would be counterproductive. Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for swift resolution of these issues through dialogue with both workers and factory owners.