The industrial hub of Gazipur is witnessing the closure of garment factories one after another, leading to rising unemployment and increasing hardship for workers. Families are struggling to survive, and some unemployed individuals are reportedly turning to crime, contributing to a rise in theft and robbery cases in the area.Workers attribute these closures to several factors, including declining work orders, financial struggles, banking complications, and unresolved worker grievances. Factory shutdowns have also led to highway blockades during protests, causing widespread disruptions to residents and commuters.Unpaid dues and gender disparities
Workers allege they are not receiving their dues properly, with men finding it harder to secure jobs than women. The job market in Gazipur’s garment industry appears to be favoring female workers, leaving many male workers unemployed and frustrated.
Alarming factory shutdown statistics
According to Gazipur Industrial Police, 51 factories have closed in the past five months, including 41 permanently and 10 temporarily. Seven additional factories are scheduled to close in May.
Total Registered Factories in Gazipur: 2,176
Garment Factories: 1,154
Unpaid Workers (Since November): 35 factories, 2% of total
Unpaid Salaries (Since December): 45% of factories
Notable closures include 16 factories in Beximco Industrial Park, TMS Apparels, Niagara Textile, and Mahmud Jeans. The closures have left over half a million workers in dire straits.
Keya Group closures
Keya Group announced the closure of seven factories effective May 2024, citing market instability, bank account discrepancies, raw material shortages, and insufficient production. The company has promised to clear all dues within 30 working days of closure, in line with labor laws.
Protests and social impact
Workers frequently take to the streets demanding wage arrears and the reopening of factories, often disrupting major highways such as Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh. Unemployed workers have reported dire living conditions, with some turning to crime out of desperation.
Voices from the ground
Suman, a former garment worker, has been unemployed for two months after losing his job. He struggles to support his family while searching for work.
Shahina Begum, a long-time worker at Mim Design, has been jobless for two months due to her factory's closure. She has yet to receive her pending salary.
Expert opinions and industry appeals
Md Ashrafuzzaman, Organising Secretary of the Jatiya Garments Sramik Jote Bangladesh, emphasises that workers cannot be blamed for the closures, as protests primarily demand overdue wages.
SM Abdul Latif, Senior General Manager of Beximco Industrial Park, appealed for government support to resolve banking issues and reopen factories, emphasising the plight of 42,000 affected workers.
Police and government response
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam confirmed the closure of 51 factories and acknowledged various contributing factors, including banking complications. He assured ongoing efforts to gather detailed information and address worker grievances.
The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for intervention to stabilize the garment industry and mitigate the social and economic fallout in Gazipur.