RMG sector tattered with crisis

 
Readymade garments (RMG) factories in Bangladesh are being shut down one after another during last one year. Effects of regime change, burdens of bank loans and labour disarray have put the RMG sector in a totally tattered and shambled plight. As a result of shutting down RMG factories one after another, thousands of workers have become jobless whose anger and woes are pouring out on to the streets every now and then in Dhaka, Tongi, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Ashulia through violent agitations.

Restless political circumstances, extortion and gloomy investment scenario have adversely impacted many more industries across Bangladesh. These undesirable circumstances have jeopardized the country's economic spectacle too. Economists have said that reinvigorated steps need to be taken by the government immediately to restore peace and stability in the industrial arena, to protect labour rights, to pay workers' arrears and unpaid salaries, to generate new employments and to formulate effective strategies to survive in international competitions when it comes to foreign trade. Otherwise Bangladesh's exports to foreign countries are bound to face insurmountable impediments, financial experts have commented.

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has informed that 182 RMG factories were laid off from January 2024 to September 2025. These closures have led to the termination of over 1 lakh 20 thousand RMG workers from their jobs.

On the other hand, Industrial Police have stated that 258 factories have been shut down during last one year where 1 lakh 4 thousand workers were employed approximately. 57 factories have been shut down directly for political reasons because the owners of these factories were Awami League leaders.  

Lots of factory owners have been residing abroad for last one year for fears of extortion, mob attacks and political harassment, reliable sources have stated. Complications with opening letters of credit (LCs) and nosedive in foreign work orders and fury among employees have paralyzed the country's industrial sector like never before.

Policy Exchange Chairman Masrur Riaz said "Bangladesh is not being able to capitalize on the current global opportunities to boost foreign trade. In recent years demand for imported goods is rising in many western countries. Bangladesh government should work following the right business tactics with potential foreign buyers".

Former adviser to caretaker government Dr. Hussain Zillur Rahman said "The government should immediately settle down the issues which have upset workers and the industries' owners should be brought to accountability so that they pay dues to all workers quickly".

Professor Anu Muhammad, Jahangirnagar University said that it's a very big offence when workers are not paid on time by factory owners. This violation of labour rights has been going on in Bangladesh for many years. Even the interim government could not yet straighten out this predicament, Professor Anu Muhammad further said.