Savar:Production has resumed at garment factories across the Savar and Ashulia industrial belt as workers returned to their workplaces today, concluding several days of disruption due to wage demands.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the industrial belt, one of the country's major garment manufacturing hubs, regained much of its usual activity as workers joined factories in large numbers from the morning. Most factories reopened, and production activities resumed amid heightened security measures.
The situation remained largely peaceful, although labor leaders urged the government to remain vigilant against any third parties attempting to exploit the workers' movement for political gains. During a visit to various industrial areas in Savar and Ashulia, it was observed that workers were returning to factories following days of demonstrations demanding higher wages. The resumption of production has eased concerns over prolonged disruptions to the country's vital export-oriented garment sector.
According to Industrial Police-1, Savar, Ashulia, and Dhamrai have a total of 1,705 industrial establishments, including garment factories. Most garment factories had remained closed for the last two days amid the unrest, but operations resumed today as workers returned to their jobs. Workers expressed relief at the reopening of factories, emphasizing their desire for wage demands to be addressed through peaceful means rather than violence or prolonged work stoppages.
Labor leaders echoed the call for a peaceful resolution, warning that vested groups could attempt to use the movement for their political interests. Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, commended the government's decision to form a wage board to address workers' demands. However, he cautioned that political groups or other vested interests might seek to exploit the situation and urged government agencies to remain vigilant.
At the factory level, management also reported a peaceful return to operations. Mohammad Raihan, deputy general manager (Administration) of Al-Muslim Group, confirmed that workers at their factory had resumed duties in a peaceful environment, with production continuing without disruption.
Meanwhile, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Dhaka district Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, and Dhaka District Police Superintendent Shamima Pervin, along with other senior officials, visited the industrial areas to assess the situation. Dhaka Range DIG Md. Mostafizur Rahman warned that anyone resorting to violence under the guise of demonstrations would face legal action, stating, "No one involved in violence will be spared."
Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan confirmed that the overall situation across the industrial belt was normal, with workers returning to factories and production activities resuming. With workers back on the factory floors and production underway, attention now turns to sustaining industrial stability while addressing workers' wage demands through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.