The labour situation in the Ashulia industrial zone improved on Sunday as workers from almost all garment factories returned to their jobs.

Industrial police sources said that 18 factories, including garment and non-garment units in the Ashulia area, were closed in accordance with labour law provision 13(1), which mandates ‘no work, no pay.’

Mohammad Sarowar Alam, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 (Ashulia), confirmed that 18 factories, both RMG and non-RMG, remained closed on Sunday due to this provision.

He noted that two factories declared a holiday, while another two could not operate because workers did not report for duty.

However, the overall labour situation has improved, with workers returning to their workplaces.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Khondaker Rafiqul Islam confirmed that almost all factories were operational on Sunday, with only a few exceptions.

He said that factories in Mirpur 14 and Kachukhet, which faced closures, would also reopen on Monday.

BGMEA data showed that six member units were closed on Sunday under labour law provision 13(1) with ‘no work, no pay,’ while production was suspended in another six units due to worker absenteeism.

Additionally, four units announced paid holidays.

The data also revealed that 15 factories in Mirpur 14 and Kachukhet were closed due to worker protests.

For more than two weeks, many factories in the Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur industrial belts, particularly in Ashulia, struggled to operate due to ongoing worker protests.

Workers had been demanding increased attendance and tiffin allowances, removal of certain mid-level employees, more male recruits, and the cessation of blacklisting workers involved in last year’s wage hike protests.

Factory owners in the Ashulia belt, in collabouration with BGMEA, labour leaders, and law enforcement agencies, have agreed to some of the workers’ demands, including higher attendance and tiffin allowances.

On Saturday, labour leaders urged workers to return to their workplaces to support the economy and the industry.

Factory owners warned that continued unrest could lead to further closures. Interim government advisors for industries, labour, and employment also threatened strict measures if unrest persisted in any units.