Most garment factories in Ashulia’s industrial zone, which had been shut down due to labour unrest, reopened on Saturday as workers returned to their jobs, disregarding the morning rain.
According to the Industrial Police, workers began reporting to various factories in the early morning, and production resumed by 8 am. Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Sarwar Alam confirmed that no incidents of violence, vandalism, or road blockades occurred throughout the area.
The situation is calm, and around 50 of the 86 factories that were closed under Section 13(1) of the Labor Act have reopened. Most of the remaining 13 factories that had declared general holidays are also operating today, said SP Sarwar.
He added that additional police forces have been deployed in front of factories to prevent any untoward incidents, and joint patrols in the industrial area continue to maintain order.
The unrest in Ashulia erupted following weeks of protests by workers and job seekers, leading to growing dissatisfaction within the labour force. On Thursday, the situation escalated, prompting factory owners to declare holidays in 219 factories, with 86 of them closed indefinitely.
However, the situation appears to be stabilizing, with police reporting that most factories are back to normal operations.