S Alam shuts all factories in Chattogram, issues layoff notices

All factories of the S Alam Group in Chattogram's Karnaphuli have been declared closed. Production officially ceased from Friday after layoff notices were issued to workers on Thursday. Workers have also been laid off at the group's other factories across the country.

The closed factories include S Alam Refined Sugar Industries, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels, Infinity CR Strips Industries, S Alam Steel, Chemon Steel, Galco Steel, S Alam Bag Limited, S Alam Cement and S Alam Vegetable Oil, among others.

Workers alleged that layoff lists were posted on the notice boards on Thursday afternoon, followed by the announcement that workers at all establishments had been relieved from their jobs. The sudden decision has sparked discontent and anxiety among workers.

According to sources, the factories have been in crisis for a long time due to a lack of bank loan support and complications in importing raw materials . Production had been operating on a limited scale with stocked raw materials, but all operations have now been shut down completely.

S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Deputy General Manager Rafiqul Islam said all production has been stopped at the factory, and the authorities have decided to relieve all employees.

Several thousand workers have been left in uncertainty over their employment, according to concerned sources.