The laid-off workers from 16 Beximco textile and garment units are speaking out, urging the government to step in and help reopen the factories that have been shut down since December. In a press conference held at the Capital Market Journalists’ Forum (CMJF) office in Dhaka, they called for immediate action to restore their jobs.
The workers are asking the government to help facilitate the opening of letters of credit, which would allow the factories to import raw materials, restart production, and address mounting bank loans. According to Md Abdul Kaium, head of personnel administration at Beximco Garment Division, the factory owners are eager to resume operations but are facing financial roadblocks.
Beximco, once considered a leading industrial giant in Bangladesh, has been struggling since the ousting of the Awami League government in August 2024. With allegations of defaulting on loans and the arrest of its Vice Chairman, Salman F Rahman, the company has found itself in a severe financial crisis. The closure of the factories in December led to the layoffs of over 40,000 workers, who now find themselves without stable employment.
Workers took to the streets of Gazipur last Tuesday, protesting the factory closures and calling for a swift resolution. Many of them have expressed their frustration, as the closure not only affects their livelihood but also their families and communities. Their message is clear: they want the government and the company to work together to find a way to reopen the factories and get them back to work.
As the situation continues to unfold, the workers’ demand highlights the urgent need for action to address the economic hardship caused by the factory shutdowns and to protect the livelihoods of those affected.
 office in Dhaka, they called for immediate action to restore their jobs.){kind=link}