Dhaka: The Bangladesh interim government warned of tough steps against anarchy as around 200 factories suspended production on Wednesday amid labour unrest in Gazipur, Savar and Ashulia, media reports said.
On Wednesday, local government ministry adviser AF Hassan Arif said most of those causing the unrest are outsiders, the Daily Star reported.
“We have not forgotten that a government does not use force against the citizens. But in the given situation, stern action has to be taken against certain people in order to save factories, workers, and the economy. We discussed it,” he said after an emergency meeting.
According to media reports, five other advisers, top police, and intelligence officers attended the meeting at the home ministry on the fifth consecutive day of labor unrest.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, reported that 167 factories in Ashulia, Zirabo, Savar, and Gazipur are currently closed.
Besides, over a dozen pharmaceutical factories also remained closed.
According to the BGMEA, the factories would resume production today.
At least 50 factories were closed on Tuesday and 100 the day before, the reports said.
Hundreds of workers and “outsiders” have been demonstrating since Saturday, demanding better pay and regularisation.
Workers of different factories at Baipail and Zirabo began marching and demonstrating at multiple places on Baipail-Abdullahpur road, causing long tailbacks.
Industrial police, the army, and border guards were deployed in the area.
Many factories were closed in Gazipur, police said.
Abdul Muktadir, president of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), said workers assaulted guards in different factories.
The unrest, which has been continuing for over a couple of weeks, has halted production at 19 major pharmaceutical plants.
“We are not getting proactive support from the government and the law enforcement agencies. The sector is not getting the importance,” he told The Daily Star.
