Labour unrest prompts indefinite closure of Gazipur's Karooni Fashions factory

The authorities of Karooni Fashions Limited have announced the indefinite closure of the garment factory's unit in Gazipur's Kaliakair following days of labour unrest and work stoppages by employees.

The closure took effect today (11 July) under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, according to a notice signed by Ashik Ferdous Sajjad, general manager of the factory's Human Resources and Compliance Department.

The notice alleged that workers stopped work on the afternoon of 8 July without prior notice and, despite repeated requests from the management, didn't resume work. Describing the situation as an "illegal strike," the authorities decided to shut the factory indefinitely.

The factory said operations will resume once a conducive working environment is restored, with the reopening date to be announced through a separate notice.

The closure, however, does not apply to the company's knitting section or its other factories under the same ownership.

Copies of the notice have been sent to the relevant government agencies and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

According to the Industrial Police, around 8,000 workers are employed at the factory.

Workers alleged that the factory had been paying wages in instalments for the past several months instead of paying them in full, leaving them struggling to meet essential expenses such as house rent and daily necessities. They said they suspended production to press home their demands.

Kaliakair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said labour unrest had been continuing at the factory for the past few days. He said police have remained on alert and are monitoring the situation to maintain law and order following the closure