Workers, employees, and officials from Beximco Garments Division have urgently called for the immediate reopening of all factories and the withdrawal of lay-offs during a press conference held at the Capital Market Journalists’ Forum.
Syed Md Enam Ullah, head of Personnel & Administration at Beximco Garments Division, presented a written statement outlining three key demands. The group is urging the restoration of banking services and the reopening of back-to-back Letters of Credit (LCs) to facilitate the resumption of export trade and attract new work orders from international clients. Additionally, they are calling for immediate action to settle all outstanding salaries and company liabilities while keeping the factories operational.
The situation escalated when a group of agitated workers set fire to the Grameen Fabrics and Fashion Ltd factory in Kashimpur, Gazipur, as part of their protest demanding the reopening of 16 closed factories. Roadblocks and vehicle burnings were reported, resulting in injuries to several journalists covering the event.
The unrest traces back to December 2024 when the Government ordered the closure of 16 factories within the Beximco Industrial Park due to a lack of orders and significant loan defaults. This closure affects over 42,000 employees who have been protesting against irregular wage payments for an extended period.
The troubled factories, owned by Salman F Rahman, a former adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have been facing financial challenges for months. Although the Government had provided temporary loans to cover wages, the recent closure announcement has intensified worker discontent.
Protests have been ongoing, including a road blockade on 21st December 2024, which was forcibly dispersed by law enforcement using tear gas and rubber bullets. On 14th January 2025, workers formed a human chain stretching 11 kilometers, culminating in a mass rally earlier in the day.
The growing unrest highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis, with workers demanding immediate action to secure their livelihoods and the future of Beximco’s garment operations.
