Industrial zone in Savar-Ashulia becoming active; 88 factories resume operations

BanglaPress Desk: Following several days of labor unrest and clashes, the industrial belt of Savar and Ashulia is gradually returning to normalcy and full operational activity. Even on Friday—a weekly holiday—88 garment factories remained operational to address urgent requirements. Workers arrived at these factories in the morning and joined their shifts peacefully; no untoward incidents were reported anywhere.

A tour of various areas on Friday morning—including Hemayetpur in Savar, and Narsinghapur, Jamgara, and Jirabo in Ashulia—revealed a normal working environment within the factories. Members of the Industrial Police remain on high alert at key locations throughout the industrial zone, though there have been no reports of labor unrest or heightened tension.

The Industrial Police stated that it is not uncommon for some garment factories to remain open on weekly holidays to handle urgent shipments or other pressing needs. In line with this, 88 factories in the industrial zone remained operational on Friday, with workers joining their duties peacefully.

Shoeb Ahmed, Additional Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, stated that the overall situation in the industrial zone is stable. While factories are typically closed on Fridays, some remained open to facilitate urgent shipments. A total of 88 factories are currently operational, and a peaceful atmosphere prevails across the entire area.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Affairs Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, noted that factories occasionally operate on holidays to meet urgent demands. Workers have been encouraged to return to their jobs peacefully, and a calm environment has persisted in the industrial zone since yesterday. It is hoped that this peaceful atmosphere will be maintained as full-scale operations resume.

He further added that a Wage Board has been established, and issues regarding workers' wage demands and grievances should now be addressed through dialogue. Pending the Wage Board’s decision, it is essential for workers to return to their workplaces and keep production moving. However, he cautioned that if a sense of panic takes hold among the workers, it will become difficult for them to return to work. Therefore, incidents such as police searches or harassment at the homes of workers must be brought to an end, and their safety and a normal working environment must be ensured.

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, stated that the situation across the entire industrial zone has remained peaceful and normal since Friday morning. Eighty-eight garment factories are currently operational due to urgent requirements, and workers have joined their duties at these facilities peacefully. Police personnel are carrying out their regular duties, and the Industrial Police maintain a firm stance regarding the safety of the workers.