Tensions escalated in Gazipur’s garment sector on Saturday as workers at three ready-made garment (RMG) factories staged protests over unpaid wages and increased piece rates. The unrest intensified when one of the factories, Mark Sweater Limited in Kashimpur’s Surabari area, announced an indefinite closure amid ongoing demonstrations.
Workers reported that protests at Mark Sweater Limited had been ongoing for several days, primarily demanding overdue wages and better work rates. On Saturday morning, upon arriving at the factory, employees found a notice from management declaring the factory closed indefinitely, citing an “illegal strike” and “unstable situation” as reasons for the closure. The notice, issued under Section 10(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, cited safety concerns due to the unrest and stated that security personnel and administrative staff were exempt from the closure.
The notice read, “All officers, staff, and workers of Mark Sweater Limited are hereby informed that due to the ongoing illegal strike and unstable situation, the factory is closed indefinitely from Sunday, 11 May, for overall safety concerns. The reopening date will be announced once conditions are favorable.”
Workers expressed frustration over what they considered a sudden closure, accusing management of shutting down the factory without addressing their demands. “Management was supposed to announce revised work rates yesterday, but instead, they shut down the factory without warning,” said a protesting worker. They called for the factory to reopen so production could resume.
Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Gazipur Metropolitan Police’s Kashimpur Police Station, confirmed the situation. “Workers had been protesting for several days over demands including increased work rates and the removal of an officer. The authorities declared the factory closed indefinitely for safety reasons. The situation remains calm,” he said.
In addition to the closure at Mark Sweater Limited, laid-off workers from two other factories—Style Craft Limited and Young Ones BD, gathered at the factory gates demanding unpaid wages. These factories, owned by the same management, had laid off several employees earlier this year following labor unrest. Workers claimed they received Tk20,000 during Eid, with remaining dues promised by 7 May. When their wages remained unpaid, they staged demonstrations, including a protest at the Gazipur Metropolitan Police premises to press their demands.
AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, stated, “The laid-off workers are demanding their due wages. They are entitled to receive them, and police are present to ensure the situation remains peaceful.”
The protests underscore ongoing tensions within Gazipur’s garment industry, where workers continue to seek fair wages and improved working conditions amid factory closures and layoffs.
