Four readymade garment factories of the DIRD group of Bangladesh located in Hemayetpur of Savar employing over 10000 workers have been closed indefinitely with sponsors giving no reason.
It seems the instructions of foreign buyers to hold the consignments ready for shipment have created a financial crunch. The exporting factories are sitting on huge unshipped stocks produced on orders from foreign buyers. This has resulted in the inability of RMG producers to pay the salaries of their workers as well as clear the dues of their local suppliers.
The closure was sudden as the factory workers were denied entry on Saturday with closing notices hanging on the entrance gate of all factories.
The closed factories are Dipta Apparels, Dipta Garments, DIRD Garments, and DIRD Washing Plant. Dipta Apparels was the largest among these four factories operating with 7,000 workers.
Sources informed that the company was forced to take the decision due to a decline in export orders. The factory was facing raw material shortages as well.
An employee of Dipta Apparels revealed that workers have some issues with the authorities of the factories. He said workers were not paid current outstanding wages and dues during the Covid-19 period and holiday payments. After the mid-level workers’ strike, management paid one month’s arrears instead of two demanded by striking workers. Negotiations were on Friday when the DIRD management sent a text message on mobile phones announcing the closure of factories.
National Garment Workers Federation Central Committee Joint Secretary Kabir Hossain told TBS, “It is not clear in what context or for what reason the factories were actually closed. Every factory worker owes dues to the authorities.”
