Lockout η απάντηση των αφεντικών στις συνεχιζόμενες συγκρούσεις στη βιομηχανική ζώνη της Ashulia με επίδικο την αύξηση του μισθού  

Bangladesh’s garment makers are to close all factories in the Ashulia industrial belt near the capital Dhaka for an indefinite period from Tuesday (14 May), due to escalating worker unrest over the last few days.

“We’ve taken the decision [under] Section 13 (1) of the Labour Act, meaning workers will not get paid during the suspension,” Atiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told a press briefing on Monday evening.

He added: “The manufacturing units at Ashulia will remain closed for an indefinite period and there will no work no pay.”

The BGMEA chief said owners can shut down factories at any time if the situation gets worse or they feel threatened by strikes or illegal activities.

“We’ve no alternative but to shut down the factories as we can’t run our factories amid unrest,” the BGMEA chief said.

Around 25-30% of total export production is carried out in the Savar-Ashulia belt where more than 300 units are located.

On Sunday, authorities closed more than 100 apparel factories at Ashulia following a clash between police and workers who were demonstrating for better pay.

It was also agreed that the government will set up a new minimum wage board to review garment worker wages and pave the way for a rise.