Garment factory owners on Monday called for enhanced security to keep their production units operational, as a labour unrest is ongoing despite meeting workers' demand.
Factories in industrial areas such as Ashulia, Zirani, and Zirabo are facing closures daily due to the unrest.
"We are demanding safety, and without it, the factories will suffer due to the labour unrest," said Abdullah Hil Rakib, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at a press conference held on Monday at the BGMEA office. The unrest persists in the garment sector even after fulfilling the workers' 18-point demands, as certain groups are spreading rumours, taking advantage of the weak law and order situation, the factory owners said at the press conference.
The garment industry owners urged the government to provide stronger security, as many are unable to operate their factories due to vandalism.
It should be mentioned there is no respite from the continuous unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) despite various measures have been taken by the high-officials of the government, factory owners and law-enforcement agencies in last one month.
Rather, the situation is worsening day by day leaving the apparel sector, mainly in Ashulia, Savar and Gazipur industrial zones, into a possible disaster.
Workers from many of the RMG factories have been protesting with their various demands, including payment of unpaid wages, increasing of salaries and ensuring of working environment.
In view of press home their demands, the workers have also been staging demonstrations by blocking roads and highways in Ashulia, Savar, Tongi and Gazipur.
As part of the continuous unrest, operation in as many as 65 RMG factories in Ashulia remained halted on Sunday.
