Operations were suspended at 70 industrial units, including 59 readymade garment factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur on Monday, due to renewed worker protests over various demands, notably a wage increase.

The industrial police reported that 52 of these units are located in Savar and Ashulia, while the remaining 18 are in the Gazipur industrial area.

Mohammad Sarowar Alam, the superintendent of industrial police in the Ashulia zone, informed that 43 factories, primarily readymade garment units in the Ashulia area, were closed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, which stipulates ‘no work, no pay’.

Additionally, eight other factories declared a general holiday on Monday amid the labour unrest.

Sources from the headquarters of the Industrial Police reported that production was suspended in 18 industrial units in the Gazipur area on the same day.

Workers from the Seasons Dress garment factory in Gazipur took to the streets on Monday morning, blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway over unpaid wages for part of July and August, according to sources from the Industrial Police.

Meanwhile, workers from Generation Next in Ashulia also gathered on the Bipail-Abdullahpur road, demanding wage payments and other issues.

Later, the Industrial Police and Army were dispatched to both locations, where they were joined by workers from other factories, they added.

Sources from law enforcement agencies said that workers from several factories demanded a wage increase on Monday, a new demand that had not been raised during the protests that began at the end of last month and lasted for over two weeks.

On 15 September, the unrest was brought under control as most factories reopened and workers returned to their workplaces, following a tripartite call from factory owners, labour leaders, and advisors from the industries, labour and employment, and fisheries and livestock sectors.

The situation improved last week, although there were protests within some units over various demands.

However, it deteriorated from Sunday when workers blocked two major highways in Ashulia and Gazipur over issues such as unpaid dues, wages, increased attendance, and tiffin bonuses, among others.