16 factories shut in Ashulia: Workers demand reopening, wage hike

Hundreds of workers from several garment factories brought out protests blocking several roads in Ashulia and Savar demanding the reopening of closed factories, a wage increase, and the withdrawal of charges against fellow workers. 

The protest began at 8 AM on Saturday when workers from Lusaka Group blocked the Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Zirabo. They were later joined by workers from Mondol Group and Mango Tex.

According to Industrial Police, the protests intensified as workers from Mondol Knitwear Limited joined in, demanding an increase in their monthly wage to Tk 22,000. The protestors were occupied the roads till 11 AM.

The protest was fueled after Lusaka Group workers found out that their factory was closed under Labor Law Section 13(1) despite previous promises from the factory authorities to withdraw charges against 27 workers.

A worker from Mondol Knitwear stated that local thugs hired by the factory authorities had been harassing and assaulting workers, which also prompted their protest.

The closures under Labor Law Section 13(1) include factories from Lusaka Group, Mondol Knitwear Limited, and Envoy Group, among others. Six additional factories were given general leave, and overall, 16 factories were shut down due to the protests. Industrial Police have been working to normalize the situation.