Two RMG factories declared closed following layoffs, assault and worker protests

Authorities have declared an indefinite closure of two ready-made garment factories—MM Knitwear Limited and Mamun Knitwear Limited—amidst labor unrest in the Konabari area of Gazipur City Corporation. The notice regarding this was hung at the main gates of the factories at 8:00 am today, Wednesday. A worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that some workers were recently laid off and several of them were assaulted by people belonging to the owner's side. In protest, the workers stopped work and joined the demonstrations.

However, denying this allegation, the factory's administrative officer Monowar Hossain said, "The allegation of assault is completely baseless and a motivated rumor." The notice, signed by the factory's assistant manager (administration and human resources) Arifur Rahman, stated that at 8:00 am on April 29, while opening the factory, workers of various sections of the garment division intentionally showed disobedience to work and unruly behavior. At one point, they created an unstable environment and left the factory.

In this context, pursuant to Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (Amendment 2013 and 2018), all sections of the garment division were declared closed indefinitely from 8:00 am on Wednesday. It was also stated that the date for reopening the sections will be notified through a notice once the situation normalizes. Konabari Police Station OC Md. Salahuddin, who inspected the scene, said, "MM and Mamun Knitwear factories have been declared closed under Section 13(1).

Law enforcement personnel have been deployed in front of the factories to avoid any untypical situation." Regarding this, Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam said, "We are trying to resolve the matter."