Over 260 factories in Dhaka shut down amid workers' unrest

Approximately 264 factories across the Ashulia and Savar industrial zones have ceased operations amid escalating labour tensions, disrupting production and raising concerns about economic stability in Bangladesh's key manufacturing regions. The closures reflect deepening grievances among workers over wages, working conditions, and employment practices.

Factory owners and workers have remained locked in disputes over several contentious issues, with neither side showing immediate signs of compromise. The shutdown has left thousands of workers without income while halting production schedules for both domestic and export-oriented manufacturers in these densely populated industrial areas near Dhaka.

Ashulia and Savar are among Bangladesh's most significant industrial hubs, hosting numerous textile, garment, and manufacturing facilities that contribute substantially to the country's export earnings. The prolonged closures threaten to disrupt supply chains and create potential delays in fulfilling international orders.

Labour tensions have spiked repeatedly across Bangladesh's garment and manufacturing sectors in recent years, driven by demands for higher wages and improved working conditions. Authorities have urged both workers and factory management to return to negotiating tables to resolve outstanding grievances before further economic damage occurs.