Industrial activities largely normal in N'ganj

Industrial operations in Narayanganj remained largely normal on Sunday, with no factories closed, even as 147 factories in several other industrial hubs, including Gazipur, Ashulia and Savar, were shut under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act amid ongoing labour unrest.

From Sunday morning, garment workers were seen reporting for duty at factories across major industrial areas in Narayanganj, including Shibu Market, Katherpul, BSCIC and Adamjee EPZ in Fatullah. Production activities were also continuing inside factory premises.

To prevent possible unrest and maintain law and order, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, industrial police and Ansar were deployed at key points across the industrial zones. Security personnel remained on alert to tackle any untoward incidents.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations were also seen stationed at different locations.

Workers said they wanted the implementation of fair wages without further delay. They expressed hope that representatives of workers, factory owners and the government would resolve the wage issue through discussions and negotiations.

Shibn Chowdhury, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in Narayanganj, said no factory in the district had been closed under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act.

"All factories are operational, workers have joined their workplaces, and the overall situation remains peaceful," he said.