Factories affected by labour unrest may be declared closed indefinitely from Sunday (November 15) if workers fail to return to work and production remains disrupted, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said.

The decision will be taken under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, according to the apparel manufacturers’ association.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the BGMEA headquarters in Uttara, Dhaka, on Saturday (November 14). Around 200 factory owners attended a meeting that began shortly after noon.

Speaking at the press conference, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said factory owners in the affected industrial areas were facing difficult circumstances as labour unrest had disrupted normal production in many factories.

He said the concerned factory owners had informed the association that they had no alternative but to suspend operations under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act.

According to the BGMEA president, 55 factories had already been declared closed under the provision as of Saturday. Production had also remained suspended at another 147 factories because workers did not report for duty.

He could not specify how many factories might be declared indefinitely closed from Sunday, saying the situation varied from factory to factory and the number could change daily.

However, approximately 300,000 workers were employed at the 147 factories where production remained suspended on Saturday, he added.

Under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act, employers can declare a factory closed indefinitely if production cannot continue due to labour unrest. During such a closure, workers are not entitled to wages for the period, in line with the ‘no work, no pay’ principle.

Earlier, authorities had declared at least 40 garment factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial areas closed indefinitely under the same provision following labour unrest.

Meanwhile, labour leaders have expressed concern over the application of Section 13(1), warning that such closures could further intensify tensions among workers.

Khairul Mamun, law affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, said the decision to close factories under this provision could fuel further discontent and potentially intensify labour movements.

Leaders of the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) were also present at the press conference.