In the past five months, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Gazipur’s industrial landscape has faced a significant upheaval. Fifty-one factories have ceased operations, of which 41 have been permanently shut. Ten factories were announced as temporarily closed, while another seven under the Care Group ceased operations in May. The closures have rendered over 50,000 workers jobless, forcing families into dire living conditions. The mass unemployment has plunged the district’s workforce into uncertainty, with little relief in sight.
Labor leaders have called for government intervention to address the unrest. Workers are protesting on major highways, including Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Mymensingh, and Chandra-Nabinagar, demanding factory reopenings and the payment of overdue salaries. These demonstrations have caused frequent traffic disruptions. According to Gazipur Industrial Police, the district is home to 1,154 garment factories out of 2,176 registered industrial units. Since November, 35 factories have failed to pay workers, and salary arrears remain unresolved in 45 percent of factories.
Superintendent AKM Johirul Islam of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 cited multiple reasons behind the closures. Among the affected factories, 10 remain temporarily shut, while 41 have closed permanently. Worker dissatisfaction impacts 5 percent of operational factories, and 9 percent face complications regarding wage increments. Authorities fear the unrest may spread if these issues remain unaddressed.
Banking and financial troubles have also hit prominent factories. Sixteen units in Beximco Industrial Park, TMS Apparels in Tongi, and Niagara Textiles in Kaliakoir have halted operations due to insufficient capital, raw materials shortages, and market instability. The Keya Group cited mismatched accounts and declining production as reasons for closure in their official statement.
Experts stress the need for immediate tripartite negotiations involving workers, employers, and the government. Shafiul Alam, president of the Bangladesh Garments Industry Workers Federation in Gazipur, highlighted the government’s failure to mediate grievances effectively. He urged authorities to resolve disputes through fair negotiation and safeguard workers’ livelihoods.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
