News of DBL, other factories shutting down baseless: BGMEA

Recent reports published in some print, online and social media claiming that several garment factories, including DBL Group, have shut down due to electricity and gas shortages are completely false, misleading and baseless, said the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) .

According to the organisation, such news is creating confusion among stakeholders and is harmful to the image of the country's premier export sector, the readymade garment industry .

The BGMEA said despite the severe gas and electricity crisis, member factories are making every effort to keep production running with the government's cooperation . Currently, 60 to 70 percent of production activities are ongoing in most factories .

The organisation also said many factories are declaring Thursday as a holiday, coordinating with the upcoming government holiday on August 5 and the weekly weekend. These working hour adjustments will later be regularised in accordance with labour laws and prevailing regulations .

Such coordination is a normal and routine process during times of gas shortages in the industrial sector. It has no connection with factories being permanently closed .
BGMEA leaders said the publication of sensitive news such as factory closures without proper verification creates unwarranted concern among domestic and international buyers, brands and business partners . This risks damaging the reputation and credibility earned by Bangladesh's garment industry .

According to them, such misinformation could jeopardise the entire industrial sector as well as the livelihoods of lakhs of workers dependent on it .

The BGMEA said the readymade garment industry is one of the main driving forces of the country's economy. Therefore, the cooperation of all concerned parties, including the media, is required in publishing objective and verified information in the interest of the industry .