DHAKA NORTH BUREAU: Owners reopened most of the closed 55 ready made garment (RMG) factories in Ashulia area after five days on Monday (December 26) as per the decision of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Factory workers were seen coming to join their work places in Jamgora, Bipail, Narsinghapur and other areas in Ashulia.

Meanwhile, Dhaka district police were miking in the area requesting all so that no sacked laborers can enter factories and create sabotage.

Earlier, the owners closed 55 factories sine die on December 20 following laborers unrest in the area from December 11.

According to the sources, the garment industry has already incurred a loss of Tk 1,500 crore in 15 days.

RMG factory workers in Ashulia became agitated since December 11 over pay-hike, job cut and an increase of house rent in the area.

The owners, later on December 20, closed the factories sine die failing to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, Fountain, NRN, the Rose Dresses, Windy Group, Sharmin Group and Ha-Meem Group factory owners and police filed two cases in the incident accusing 1,200.

A total of nine cases have been filed in the incident.

Police already have arrested 10 laborers, eight labor leaders, actor, local journalists and acting chairman of Savar upazila and a few others in this connection.

More than 300 laborers were sacked after identifying them analyzing CCTV footages.

Additional police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation.

BDST: 0945 HRS, DEC 26, 2016
SR